"We Would’ve Crushed Pakistan, But…": Suresh Raina’s Explosive Take on WCL 2025 Final & The Political Storm Behind It

Published on: August 3, 2025

By: Aaje Su? Team

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Cricket is no stranger to high emotions, fierce rivalries, and deep-seated national pride. But when politics, patriotism, and sporting spirit clash on an international stage, the results can be explosive. Such was the case during the World Championship of Legends 2025 (WCL 2025) — a tournament meant to celebrate legendary cricketers, but which ended with a storm of controversy, powerful statements, and fractured relationships.

🏆 The Build-Up to WCL 2025

The WCL 2025 tournament, hosted in Birmingham, England, was a dream come true for cricket fans. Featuring retired legends from the world over, the event promised thrilling contests, nostalgic moments, and packed stadiums. Teams like India Champions, Pakistan Champions, South Africa Champions, Australia Legends, England Legends, and West Indies Veterans brought back iconic names such as Yuvraj Singh, Shahid Afridi, AB de Villiers, Brett Lee, Kevin Pietersen, and others.

The format was simple: T20 matches, a group stage followed by semi-finals and a grand final. But what happened off the pitch would dominate headlines more than the cricketing action itself.

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⚠️ India’s Refusal to Play Pakistan – A Bold Political Stand

On April 21, 2025, the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir was rocked by a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, where 11 soldiers were martyred. The incident sent shockwaves across India, leading to widespread outrage. The India Champions, led by Yuvraj Singh, decided to take a political stand in the WCL.

In protest, they refused to play their group stage match against Pakistan Champions, citing national solidarity and respect for the soldiers. Many applauded the decision, calling it a courageous act of patriotism. Others, however, questioned the politicization of a sporting event designed to unite legends and fans.

As fate would have it, both India and Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals — and once again, India refused to play, allowing Pakistan a walkover into the final. This decision became the spark for a much bigger debate.

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🇿🇦 WCL 2025 Final – South Africa Crushes Pakistan

In the final held on August 2, 2025, at Birmingham, South Africa Champions faced Pakistan Champions.

Pakistan's Innings:

Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a respectable total:

• 195/5 in 20 overs
• Sharjeel Khan was the standout performer, smashing 76 off 44 balls
• Solid contributions came from Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal, but the team seemed short of 20–30 runs on a good batting wicket.

South Africa’s Response:

• What followed was pure domination. AB de Villiers, one of the most feared batsmen in T20 history, played a jaw-dropping knock of 120 off 60 balls*.
• He was ably supported by Jacques Kallis, and the Proteas chased down the total in just 17.5 overs, losing only one wicket.

The victory was comprehensive. But the post-match headlines weren’t about South Africa’s triumph — they were about what could’ve been.

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🗨️ Suresh Raina’s Viral Tweet

Soon after the final, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, who was part of the India Champions squad, took to X (formerly Twitter) and dropped a bombshell:

“What a knock by @ABdeVilliers17 in the final, absolutely smashed it.
Had we played, we would've crushed them too, but we chose our nation above everything else.
Full respect to @EaseMyTrip and @nishantpitti for standing firm and not supporting any match involving them. That's real character.”

This unfiltered post instantly went viral. Fans lauded Raina’s candor, while others criticized the tone and timing.

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💬 Reactions to Raina's Statement

🧡 Indian Fans:

• Many fans praised Raina for standing up for the country.
• Hashtags like #NationFirst, #BoycottPakistan, and #RainaSpeaksTruth trended on Indian social media.

💚 Pakistani Fans:

• Criticized Raina for politicizing sports.
• Claimed India avoided Pakistan due to fear of losing.
• Called the statement “unsportsmanlike” and “provocative.”

🌍 Neutral Voices:

• Some cricket veterans and fans suggested that while patriotism is important, sports should be a platform for peace and unity.
• Others expressed disappointment that politics overshadowed what could have been an epic India vs Pakistan clash in the final.

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🏛️ PCB’s Fury – Blanket Ban from WCL

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn’t take the controversy lightly. In their 79th Board of Governors (BoG) meeting, the board announced a complete ban on participation in future WCL events.

Official PCB Statement:

"The PCB, during its 79th BoG meeting, reviewed with considerable disappointment WCL's appalling conduct of awarding points to a willfully forfeiting team. The press releases of the WCL announcing the cancellation of scheduled India vs Pakistan matches were tainted with hypocrisy and bias."

The PCB accused the WCL organizers of favoring India, and EaseMyTrip, one of the title sponsors, came under fire for allegedly influencing decisions based on political alignment.

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🤝 WCL Organizers – Walking the Tightrope

Caught in the middle were the organizers of WCL, who faced an impossible challenge — balance sports and politics. They defended their decisions, stating:

• They respected India’s concerns over national security.
• Forfeits were acknowledged as per the rules.
• The tournament was about celebrating legends, not promoting conflict.

Still, their neutrality was questioned. Many believed that allowing a walkover in a semi-final of such magnitude diminished the sporting value of the entire tournament.

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📊 Impact on WCL and Future Editions

The 2025 edition of the World Championship of Legends ended with a divided cricket fraternity.

Positives:

• High-quality cricket from teams like South Africa, England, and Australia.
• AB de Villiers’ performance was legendary.
• Stadiums were packed; TV ratings were high.

Negatives:

• India vs Pakistan — the most anticipated match — never happened.
• Political tensions dominated headlines.
• PCB’s withdrawal may weaken future editions.

The WCL will need to reassess its structure, rules, and partnerships before hosting its next edition. A major challenge lies ahead: ensuring neutrality, respect for players, and sportsmanship in a politically charged environment.

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🧠 The Bigger Picture – Should Politics and Sports Mix?

This incident has reignited a decades-old debate: Can sports truly remain separate from politics?

Arguments For Keeping Politics Out:

• Sports can be a unifying force.
• Athletes are ambassadors of peace.
• Events like WCL are meant to honor legends, not propagate agendas.

Arguments For Political Stance in Sports:

• Sports stars have a platform and influence — they can raise awareness.
• National sentiments can't be separated from global events.
• Not playing Pakistan post-terror attack was a matter of principle for India.

There’s no easy answer. But what’s clear is that cricket, especially involving India and Pakistan, will always be more than just a game.

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🧾 Conclusion – Raina’s Words Echo Beyond the Game

Suresh Raina’s words, “We would’ve crushed Pakistan, but we chose our nation above everything,” summarize the emotional, political, and nationalistic undertones of the WCL 2025.

While South Africa Champions emerged victorious on the scoreboard, the real story of this tournament was off the pitch — about choices, principles, and pride. Whether you agree with India's decision or not, it undeniably changed the course of the tournament and highlighted the complex intersection of sport and diplomacy.

As cricket fans, we can only hope for a future where matches are won and lost with the bat and ball — not boardroom decisions.

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🗨️ What do you think? Should India have played Pakistan in WCL 2025? Was Raina’s tweet justified or out of line? Share your views in the comments!