The battle between India and Pakistan on the cricket field has started again. This time it is the Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan in 2025. According to several reports, India will not travel to Pakistan and a hybrid hosting model is being worked on. Reacting to these reports, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not hesitate to express his disappointment. “In recent years, Pakistan has made numerous good gestures. However, we hope that we will not be expected to always do this,” Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, told reporters in Lahore, as quoted by Geo News.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif feels it is a shame that Pakistan will take the big step of boycotting ICC events if India does not go to Pakistan this time.
The Champions Trophy consists of two groups of four teams each, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and defending champions Pakistan.
India and Pakistan have not participated in a bilateral cricket series since Pakistan's 2012-13 tour of India due to strained political relations.
Since then, the two teams have only faced each other in major International Cricket Council (ICC) white-ball events and Asian Cup tournaments.
“If it is a bilateral series or the Asia Cup, the teams are asked whether India wants to play or not. This is an ICC event. The cycle is signed from 2024-2031. All broadcasters and sponsors have signed about the teams that will participate in the Champions Trophy or the World Cup,” Latif said during the Geo News show.
“If a team refuses to participate, they must have a good reason to justify their call. As in 1996, the West Indies and Australia did not go to Sri Lanka but still reached the final. If you give a reason for the security, then it is not a good reason for teams like Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa to come to Pakistan. They want to come to Pakistan,” he added
Latif added that if India does not go to Pakistan, Pakistan will not be allowed to participate in ICC events.
“ICC exists only because there is Pakistan and India. If the government of Pakistan also says like India that we will not play, then the ICC is of no use because no one will watch the match,” Rashid said.
“We can say that India does not want to play bilateral matches, but you cannot deny the ICC events because you have already signed them. India needs to build a strong foundation. If India doesn't come this time, Pakistan will take a big step by not participating in the tournament,” he added.
Topics mentioned in this article
