New Delhi: “This is not a dickheat of public [You show the public that you won’t play each other, but behind the scenes you travel together and go shopping — that’s unfair]”Former Pakistan Pacer Abdur Rauf Khan on Sunday canceled India’s champion vs. Pakistan Champions Clash at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) in Birmingham.The match was abolished after social media and the players eventually left for the competition. On social media, those people questioned the hypocrisy of the players for less than two months after across the border after the Parilgam Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor between India and Pakistan. Rauf questioned his public stance in criticism of Indian players like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, who questioned his off-old chemredari.
“They roam together, eat together, party together – then when it comes to playing a match, why do they portray a different picture in front of the public?” Rauf asked.“These are not just Pakistani players – even Indian players feel this. We have played together, have shared dressing rooms, have been eaten together, are shopping on tourism, have stayed in the hotel rooms – we are away from the field. Then to portray such a difficult partition for the public – such as’ we will not play them ‘ – which is the unnecessary hip’ – which is the unnecessary hip.”He said, “Behind the curtain, the reality is very different. Fans, who come with so much enthusiasm and spirit, are disappointed. It’s not a good look for cricket. We are better for sports and its fans,” he said.India-Pakistan sports relations hit a road due to a fall from an April attack in Pahalgam.Shikhar Dhawan was the first person to make his stance public. He posted a screenshot on X, “It is formally repeated that Mr. Shikhar Dhawan will not participate in any match against the Pakistan team in the upcoming WCL League … In view of our current geopolitical situation and the prevailing tension between India and Pakistan, Shri Dhawan and his team took over the post after proper consideration … “Rauf, who represented Pakistan in 3 Tests, 4 Odis and 1 T20I, appealed to keep out of cricket for politics.“My consistent approach has been – keep politics and cricket separate. One year or two tension can stop cricket, but once the relationship becomes normal, it starts again anyway. So why stay in the first place? … So yes, both governments should sit and signed an agreement that cricket and sports will continue regardless of external circumstances. Political stress may come and go, but the game should not suffer, “he said.“You can’t close it permanently. Stress can last for one or two years, but eventually the country joins again. So stop the game in the first place? … That’s why I believe that there should be a clear outline or compromise that ensures continuity. Political issues will remain due to geographical realities – but let the game breathe. Let it thrive, “he said.“The issues between India and Pakistan have gone for a long time. Sometimes they move forward, sometimes the relationship improves. When the relationship is good, cricket resumes. When the tension increases, everything stops. Unfortunately, fans are those who suffer the most … I must have a formal agreement without taking care of political stresses.
