Pakistan, July 22 -- The cancellation of the World Championship of Legends fixture between India and Pakistan-a veterans' game meant to honour cricket's shared legacy-is a disgrace. Not because the match won't be played, but because of why it won't.

Indian players, including Yuvraj Singh and Shikhar Dhawan, pulled out in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, parroting the usual "security" line. But everyone knows this wasn't about logistics. It was about power, and cricket was collateral.

This is the ninth time since 2008 that India has refused to face Pakistan outside of ICC events. Every episode follows a familiar script: diplomatic tension escalates, right-wing media erupts, sponsors recoil, and cricket is sacrificed at the altar of ...