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"Tough Question": Brett Lee Remains Diplomatic Amid IND-PAK WCL Fallout

Soumyajit Dutta

Brett Lee stands neutral on WCL fallout [Source: @sonusorry/X.com]Brett Lee stands neutral on WCL fallout [Source: @sonusorry/X.com]

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has responded cautiously to the controversial cancellation of the India-Pakistan match in the World Championships of Legends (WCL). The fixture was scrapped after several Indian legends reportedly refused to participate, a stance linked to the April terror attack in Pahalgam that severely impacted bilateral relations.

The WCL issued an apology, acknowledging the decision to schedule the match may have "hurt feelings" and caused "discomfort" to Indian players.

Lee Stands Neutral On WCL Fallout

When asked for his views at a press conference, Brett Lee, representing Australia Champions, maintained a diplomatic position. He expressed hope for future understanding but focused on the current tournament's inclusive spirit.

"That is a tough question. But the thing I'll say right is, I love India, I love Pakistan. So I hope that they can get to a discretion where they can appreciate themselves. But most importantly, we are here on a tournament. So Australia versus India versus South Africa. We are all inclusive. So what happened last night is what happened. We pushed for it," Lee told the reporters.

WCL's Statement and Player Stance

The WCL's official statement explained that their initial intent was to "create happy memories for fans" but conceded it "ended up hurting the feelings of many and stirring emotions" and caused "unintentional discomfort" to Indian legends, leading to the cancellation.

Dhawan's social media post underscored the players' firm stance, sharing his May 11th email to organisers, "Jo kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota." Notably, the official sponsor, EaseMyTrip, also pulled out of the fixture while stating its dissent for the arrangement amid geopolitical tensions.

The cancellation overshadowed the much-anticipated rematch of the 2023 WCL final, where India Champions convincingly defeated Pakistan by five wickets to lift the title.