Danish Kaneria chastised the Indian players for their hypocrisy, claiming that despite boycotting the clash against Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 earlier this month due to political tensions between the two countries, they are now participating in the Asia Cup against the Men in Green.
On July 20, before of the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions match in the WCL, former international cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, and others opted to withdraw from the competition due to social media outrage. This was meant to be the two teams’ first meeting on the cricket pitch since Operation Sindoor.
However, in the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan have been paired together, and they may encounter three times during the competition. Two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage. In the Super Fours, each club will play the other three once. The final, scheduled for September 28, will feature two teams from the Super Four stage.
This did not sit well with Kaneria, who stated that if the players were willing to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup, there should have been no problem with the WCL clash. The former Pakistan leg-spinner advised against using patriotism based on the situation.
“Indian players boycotted WCL and called it national duty. But now Asia Cup vs Pakistan is just fine? If cricket with Pakistan is okay, then WCL should’ve been too. Stop using patriotism when it suits you. Let sport be sport — not propaganda,” tweeted Kaneria.
We don’t need to win the Asia Cup, says Shreevats Goswami
Former Bengal cricketer Shreevats Goswami believes India should surrender their match against Pakistan and allow them to advance in the Asia Cup. He stated that India is participating in the competition solely to assist other countries economically.
“My interpretation on the Asia Cup coming forward is that India should and must surrender the game against Pakistan and allow them to qualify. We do not need to win the Asian Cup. The only reason India is participating is to help other nations economically; otherwise, I see no rationale. Ideally, this is what should and must happen, and if India decides to play against Pakistan, the people will be outraged! “It should!” Goswami commented on X.
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