Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan Over Pahalgam Attack Fallout
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match between India and Pakistan has stirred more than just nostalgia. With tensions still simmering after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, Indian cricket legends Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan have reportedly withdrawn from Sunday’s marquee encounter against Pakistan. Their decision, while not officially confirmed by them, is being widely interpreted as a strong political statement amidst growing criticism of any sporting engagement with Pakistan. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan
Backdrop: Pahalgam Attack and Rising Political Heat
The Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 left 26 civilians dead and reignited the sensitive debate around Indo-Pak cricketing ties. The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the carnage. Three months on, the attackers remain unapprehended, a fact that has further fueled public anger and political frustration. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan
In this volatile climate, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi launched a scathing criticism of the BCCI and the Indian government for allowing participation in what she termed a “morally bankrupt” event involving Pakistan.
“Absolutely shameless! We don’t have the Pahalgam terrorists yet, but we have an Indian side desperate to resume cricket matches with Pakistan,” Chaturvedi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
She also called out the BCCI and ICC, accusing them of seeking “blood money” by allowing such matches despite the ongoing national security concerns. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan
Harbhajan and Yusuf’s Absence Raises Eyebrows
Sources close to the WCL organizing committee confirmed that both Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan will not feature in the high-stakes clash at Edgbaston, scheduled for July 20. While no official statements have been made by either player, their withdrawal is widely seen as a protest against the match being played under the current circumstances. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan
Harbhajan, a Rajya Sabha MP representing Aam Aadmi Party, has previously been vocal on national issues. Yusuf Pathan, now a Trinamool Congress MP, has also grown politically active since his retirement.
There are unconfirmed reports that Irfan Pathan may also have opted out, though neither he nor the organizers have issued a formal clarification.
Political Statements Through Cricket
The match against Pakistan was expected to be one of the highlights of the WCL 2025, a private league featuring retired international stars. India’s squad includes popular names like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, and Robin Uthappa. Pakistan’s squad, meanwhile, boasts legends like Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and Younis Khan. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan
While most players are approaching the match from a sporting perspective, the absence of Harbhajan and Yusuf has added an unmistakable political dimension.
The fact that both players are sitting MPs lends weight to their decisions, which resonate with the sentiments of many Indians still grappling with the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
No Bilateral Ties — But Exhibition Games?
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012–13, owing to persistent political tensions. After the Pahalgam attack, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla reiterated that India would not play any bilateral series against Pakistan — not even at neutral venues. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan
However, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently clarified that while bilateral series are ruled out, India cannot restrict participation in multilateral or private tournaments like the WCL.
This distinction, however, has failed to convince critics like Chaturvedi and other political voices who view even such exhibition matches as a betrayal of national sentiment.
WCL Organisers Under Fire
The World Championship of Legends is a privately run league spearheaded by actor-producer Ajay Devgn and cricket entrepreneur Harshit Tomar. Although the tournament is sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), it has no official backing from the BCCI or ICC.
That hasn’t stopped fans and politicians from questioning the BCCI’s silent nod to its players’ participation, especially considering some of them are members of Parliament. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan
Public Sentiment: Divided, But Vocal
Social media has exploded with mixed reactions. While some fans have defended the right of players to participate in a non-bilateral, private league, others argue that national interest should supersede cricket.
The hashtag #BoycottWCL trended for over 48 hours following the announcement of the India vs Pakistan fixture.
What’s Next?
With the match slated to go ahead as scheduled, eyes will now be on the players who take the field — and those who choose not to. The political significance of Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan’s boycott may well overshadow the cricketing action itself. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan
Whether their actions spark a larger conversation around India-Pakistan sporting ties, especially in the shadow of terrorism, remains to be seen. But what’s certain is this: cricket is no longer just a game when India and Pakistan face off — even in retirement. Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan Boycott WCL Match Against Pakistan
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