Following India’s official refusal to play the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, a number of notable figures within the host nation have voiced their reactions. Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez is amongst these criticizing the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI). Hafeez referred to as it a dream to see India play in Pakistan, expressing frustration over what he sees as an unfounded choice, provided that different international locations have efficiently toured Pakistan just lately.
BCCI cites safety issues, PCB seeks authorities recommendation
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) just lately obtained an e-mail from the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC), confirming that BCCI wouldn’t ship the Indian group to Pakistan, citing safety issues. PCB, in response, has forwarded the problem to Pakistan’s authorities, searching for steerage on easy methods to proceed. Hafeez, in the meantime, strongly asserted that Pakistan is “protected and prepared” to host the event and referred to as for a agency response from each PCB and the federal government.
Mohammad Hafeez takes a dig at BCCI over India’s denial to journey to Pakistan
Hafeez didn’t maintain again in his criticism of the BCCI’s choice, stating that whereas it was all the time a daydream to assume India would play in Pakistan, the reasoning behind their refusal lacks logic. Hafeez identified that a number of worldwide groups, together with Australia, England, and West Indies, have performed in Pakistan just lately, but India continues to boost safety issues.
Based on Hafeez, this selective stance from India is troublesome to justify, as Pakistan has confirmed their functionality to host top-tier worldwide occasions with out incident. Hafeez’s feedback replicate a rising sentiment in Pakistan cricket circles, calling for a powerful stance from the PCB and authorities in response to India’s refusal.
“It was a day dream that India will come to Pakistan to play #ChampionsTrophy2025. Pakistan is protected & able to host the occasion. Pakistan internet hosting all cricket nations at house however someway not *safe* for India. Ready for sturdy & shocked response from authorities & PCB,” Hafeez wrote on X (previously Twitter).
It was a day dream that India wil come to Pakistan to play #ChampionsTrophy2025. Pakistan is protected & able to host the occasion. Pakistan internet hosting all cricket nations at house however someway not *safe* for India 😇😇😇. Ready for sturdy & shocked response from authorities & PCB.
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) November 11, 2024
Additionally READ: Workforce India to not journey Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025, will play matches at a impartial venue
Potential hybrid mannequin and event uncertainty
The ICC had deliberate to announce the Champions Trophy schedule on November 11, however the unresolved dispute between PCB and BCCI has solid uncertainty over the event’s future. Whereas Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi had been initially chosen as venues, the ICC might now think about a hybrid mannequin, with UAE as a possible different host for matches involving India.
Asia Cup 2023: An identical situation
This case mirrors final 12 months’s Asia Cup, the place BCCI refused to ship India to Pakistan, leading to a hybrid mannequin. Pakistan hosted some video games, however India’s matches had been held in Sri Lanka. If the Champions Trophy adopts an analogous format, matches that includes India could possibly be performed within the UAE.
Additionally READ: Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi predicts his 4 semifinalists of Champions Trophy 2025
