Legendary captain of the Pakistan cricket team Javed Miandad was furious over India's decision not to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. There was a lot of talk about India's decision, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday that India was not willing to travel to Pakistan. Earlier, India suggested a 'hybrid' solution where they would play their games in Dubai, but this was rejected by Pakistan. Miandad said that even without playing against India, Pakistani cricket will flourish and pointed out that if the two teams stop playing against each other altogether, it will be a huge blow to the popularity and viewership of the ICC tournaments.
“It's a joke that this is happening. Even if we don't play India at all, Pakistani cricket will not only survive but thrive as we have shown in the past. I would like to see how the ICC events monetize earn if there are no matches between Pakistan and India,” Miandad told PTI.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday initiated talks with senior government officials to discuss the future course of action after the ICC told PCB that India is not willing to tour the country for next year's Champions Trophy.
The PCB confirmed that it had received an email from the ICC about India's reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the major tournament even though Naqvi had previously rejected a 'hybrid model'.
“Mohsin Naqvi, the federal home minister, is in touch with government officials and we are now waiting to see what directives Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will give,” a PCB official said.
The official expressed disappointment over India's stand despite Pakistan promising complete security for the visitors during the ICC showpiece.
“It is unacceptable because there is no logical reason for India to refuse to send its team to Pakistan again.
“Preparations for the event are on track and we have already assured the ICC of the best security arrangements for all teams, including India,” the official said.
The official admitted that Pakistan will suffer financial losses if a strong stand is taken on boycotting all matches against India, but added that they are prepared for such a situation.
Meanwhile, speculation is rife in Pakistan that the country's government is likely to direct the PCB to stop playing India in ICC or other multi-team events, starting with the Champions Trophy, until the Indian government changes its policy.
It has also been reported that Pakistan could take up the issue of India's mixing of politics and sports with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if they decide to boycott all possible meetings with the neighboring countries in any sport in the future.
(With PTI inputs)
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