Ex-Pakistan pacer claims Dhawan & Raina pulled out of IND vs PAK match ‘just for show’

Former Pakistan fast bowler Abdur Rauf Khan has indirectly called Indian cricketers like Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Khan, among others, as two-faced. The statement comes after all the Indian players withdrew from the India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025.

The clash was supposed to take play at Edgbaston on July 20. But a day before, outraged people took to social media. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the relationship between India and Pakistan aren’t great. This prompted people to critise the decision.

Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan and Harbhajan Singh pulled out of the India vs Pakistan match the night before. Shikhar Dhawan followed and soon after, the WCL match was called off by the organisers. Abdur says Indian cricketers weren’t doing anything but moral posturing.

Indian ex-cricketers duplicitous?

All the players mentioned had criticised Pakistan in May but still agreed to play. If not for online outrage, they would have played. Abdur added that players on both sides have no issues with each other. But they portray otherwise just for show.

“Public ke saamne yeh dikhate ho ki hum nahi khelenge, aur saath mein ghumoge and shopping karoge, yeh unfair hai. They hang around 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? It’s not just Pakistani players — even Indian players feel it. We’ve played together, shared dressing rooms, eaten together, gone shopping on tours, stayed in each other’s hotel rooms — we’re friends off the field. To then portray such a hard divide to the public — like ‘we won’t play them’ — that creates unnecessary hype,” Abdur told the Times of India.

He added that Indian and Pakistan players are very close behind the close doors but act otherwise online and while giving statements. Abdur thinks that WCL match should have gone ahead and that cricket shouldn’t be mixed with politics.

“Behind the scenes, the reality is very different. The fans, who come with so much excitement and emotion, are left disappointed. It’s not a good look for cricket. We owe better to the game and its fans,” he added.