ISLAMABAD: Veteran cricketers have expressed disappointment over India’s decision to skip travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will run from February 19 to March 9 under a hybrid model, raising concerns over the missed opportunity to revive the iconic India-Pakistan rivalry on Pakistani soil.
Last month the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the mega event will be held under a hybrid model, with India set to play their matches at a neutral venue rather than in the host country.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has expressed his disappointment over the decision of India not to travel to Pakistan for the mega event.
Speaking at the ICC Champions Trophy Tour in Sydney, Watson shared his regret at missing the opportunity to witness the historic India-Pakistan rivalry unfold in Pakistan.
“It’s unfortunate things have turned out this way, but everyone loves watching India-Pakistan games,” Watson said.
The player recalling his own experience playing in Pakistan, said the country’s passion for cricket meant to him. “I got a small opportunity to play in the PSL in 2019, the first time after playing there in 2005. It was one of the highlights of my career. To go to Pakistan after a long time and see the love and joy they have for cricket was incredible. They were starved of world-class live cricket,” he said.
According to the ICC website, the cricket governing body confirmed that matches between India and Pakistan, hosted by either country during the 2024-2027 rights cycle, will be played at a neutral venue.
This includes the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan in February and March 2025, as well as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka), the ICC stated.
Additionally, it was announced that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been granted the hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also be in place.
Earlier Indian politician and leader of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav had said that politics should not be mixed with sports and that the Indian cricket team should travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy.
Taking a jibe at BJP’s Narendra Modi, the politician recalled the time when the Indian prime minister crossed the border “to have biryani”.
“If the PM can go there to have biryani, why can’t the Indian cricket team travel for a tournament?” ANI, an Indian news agency, quoted Yadav as saying during a media talk.
For many years, India has barred its cricket team from travelling to Pakistan, using the sport for political leverage. India has not visited Pakistan since 2008, and the two arch-rivals only meet in multi-team tournaments.
The last bilateral series between the two countries took place in December 2012 and January 2013, when Pakistan toured India for a white-ball series. India’s most recent visit to Pakistan for a bilateral series was in 2006.
However, Pakistan travelled to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup in October and November 2023, where they played all their matches on Indian soil.
Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma on the government’s decision stated that player input does not influence travel decisions in such cases, as these are matters for the cricket boards to decide.
“The decision is not in our hands. It will be made by the cricket boards, and we are focused on the tournament ahead,” Sharma said.
He emphasised that wherever the BCCI directs the team, players will be ready to compete. “If we are sent to Pakistan, there will be no issue,” he added.
Former Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Hafeez expressing his disappointment over India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in a post on X, said that it was his dream to witness the Indian team visiting Pakistan for the eight-team tournament.
“It was a daydream that India will come to Pakistan to play ChampionsTrophy2025,” wrote Hafeez.
He also criticised India’s concerns regarding their national men’s team security and expressed his anticipation for a ‘strong’ and ‘surprising’ response from the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B comprises Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa. Watson believes this tournament could reignite the excitement of international cricket in Pakistan.
“I think the PCB took the sensible approach and instead of doing something rash and facing isolation in the ICC and among other cricket nations, it opted for a solution where I think the PCB has gained more than the BCCI,” said legendary cricketer Javed Miandad.
“Still Pakistan is hosting a big event after a very long time and we have sent a clear message that if you don’t come and play in our country, we will also not play in India,” Miandad said.
Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad said that Pakistan lost a “golden chance” to host India.
“Pakistan had a golden chance to host India. All cricket boards had signed the agreement in 2021 that Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy. ICC cannot back off. PCB has missed the chance, I think. We should forget that the Indian team will never come to Pakistan now. Just forget it. The only way you could have brought India here was by an ICC event,” Shehzad said during a podcast.
Wasim Akram, former Pakistan captain, said that while the hybrid model is the “best solution,” supporters in Pakistan will miss out on seeing players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play.
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“Like millions of Pakistan fans, I would have wanted the whole tournament to be played in Pakistan, and India touring our country. But if this is the solution then it’s the best one. It’s not a win for any country but I am saddened that this is a loss for millions of Gen Z Pakistani fans who wanted to see (Virat) Kohli, Rohit (Sharma), (Rishabh) Pant, (Jasprit) Bumrah playing in their country,” Wasim Akram said.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Bari said, “I can only imagine the warm welcome and hospitality their players and fans would get in Pakistan.”
Moin Khan, another former Pakistan skipper, said if the PCB has been able to also get another ICC event to host it is good news for Pakistan cricket.”
Former Pakistan spinner Iqbal Qasim has lauded the PCB for getting the ICC, BCCI, and the ICC board to agree on a compromise formula.
He said: “BCCI is a very strong and financially influential board. But unlike last year’s Asia Cup, this time our board took a stance and gained something. The main thing is we are hosting the tournament and will also not go to India now to play in ICC events. Both teams will now play at neutral venues.”
