‘Bechaare jab se paida huye hain…’ Shahid Afridi targets Indian cricketers ahead of IND vs PAK Asia Cup match News24 –

With the much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 just hours away, tensions are running high – both on and off the field. While fans gear up for one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has reignited controversy with a string of comments aimed at former Indian cricketers, stirring emotions at a time when political sensitivities are at their peak.

The upcoming match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday will be the first face-off between the two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor, adding an extra layer of intensity to an already high-voltage encounter. Calls for a boycott of the match have grown louder across India, with several fans expressing frustration that the game is still going ahead, despite the emotionally charged atmosphere.

Afridi’s Comments Reignite Old Flames

In the lead-up to the game, Afridi made headlines by taking indirect shots at Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh, referring to the cancellation of the India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 earlier this year. That match was called off after Indian players including Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Suresh Raina pulled out due to public pressure and growing online outrage.

Dhawan had clarified that he had informed the WCL organisers well in advance about his decision not to participate in the match against Pakistan. However, Afridi appeared unconvinced and expressed his frustration in a recent interview on Samaa TV.

“I have always said that cricket should go on; it has always helped in making the relations better between the two countries. In England, people had bought tickets to see the WCL match, and the players had practised. Then you didn’t play. What was the thinking? I just can’t understand,” Afridi said.

Without naming names, Afridi hinted at internal discord within the Indian camp during the WCL episode.

“Agar mai naam lunga na iss waqt, toh wo beechare phass jayenge (If I name any player, then their lives would be made hard). The player I referred to as a bad egg, his captain also told him, ‘If you don’t want to play, then don’t play. Just don’t tweet on social media.’ But that said, the player had come with an ulterior motive. That is why he was a bad egg,” he added.

“Still Trying to Prove They Are Indian”

Afridi’s remarks took a more personal turn when he claimed that certain Indian players continue to face threats and feel the need to prove their loyalty to the country – an assertion many have found both baseless and inflammatory.

“There are plenty of issues. Gharon tak paunch jaate hain, ghar jalaane ki dhamkiyaan dete hain un players ko. Kuch aise hain jo vahan saabit kar rahe hain ki hum Hindustaani hain. Bechaare jabse paida huye hain saabit kar rahe hain hum hindustani hain. (Some people reach the houses of players and threaten to burn them down, so what more should I say? Certain players are still trying to prove they are Indian. They have been displaying this ever since being born). Now they are doing commentary in the Asia Cup,” Afridi said.

While Afridi didn’t take direct names, his remarks are widely seen as veiled references to individuals like Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan, who have been active in commentary roles and social discussions around India-Pakistan cricket ties.

Cricket in the Shadow of Conflict

Afridi’s comments come at a delicate time. With tensions still simmering following recent cross-border incidents, cricket fans in India remain divided over whether matches with Pakistan should even be taking place. While Afridi continues to advocate for cricket as a tool for diplomacy, many in India feel that sport cannot be insulated from the emotions tied to national security and grief.

This isn’t the first time Afridi has stirred the pot with controversial takes on India. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, he had questioned the Indian armed forces on social media, leading to a sharp retort from Shikhar Dhawan and others on X (formerly Twitter).

As the cricketing world gears up for Sunday’s marquee clash, it’s clear that the rivalry goes far beyond the boundary ropes – drawing in history, politics, and personal sentiments. Amidst all this noise, fans on both sides will hope that the focus returns to where it belongs: the cricket field.