‘If India doesn’t come, Pakistan will…’: Former Pakistan captain shoots BIG Champions Trophy 2025 warning

New Delhi: There are signs of conflict between Pakistan Cricket Board and BCCI over Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan will host next year’s Champions Trophy. But, BCCI has always refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan. There is talk that like the Asia Cup, Team India’s matches will be played at a neutral venue instead of in Pakistan. However, Pakistan Cricket Board President Mohsin Naqvi clarified that these talks are just rumours. He also said that BCCI has not made any demand for India to play matches at neutral venues. Similarly, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given its nod for the Champions Trophy. So they have to come to Pakistan. If they do not come to our country, we will not play in this tournament.

“This is an ICC event. The cycle has been signed from 2024-2031. All the broadcasters and sponsors have signed about the teams that will participate in the Champions Trophy or the World Cup,” the former Pakistan captain said.

“If a team denies to participate, they need to have a solid reason to justify their call. Just like in 1996, the West Indies and Australia did not go to Sri Lanka but still reached the final. If you make a reason for security, then it is not a solid reason. Teams like Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa are coming to Pakistan,” he added.

PCB warns BCCI:

No one has discussed that the Champions Trophy will be held at a neutral venue. Even if BCCI makes such a demand, we will oppose it. Politics should not come into cricket. ICC or BCCI, none of them have given us a letter not to come to Pakistan. We have always shown readiness to play in India. Pakistan Cricket Board President Mohsin Naqvi explained that although we have often taken less, we will never do so this time.

The information given by PCB:

• A few months back PCB had sent the proposed (probable) schedule to the ICC.
• PCB’s request to ICC to announce the tournament according to the same schedule.
• According to the schedule proposed by PCB, the India-Pakistan match will be played on March 1, 2025, in Lahore.
• As per the proposed schedule, all India matches will be played in Lahore due to security reasons.
• The PCB is spending around Rs 13 billion to renovate stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi to host the Champions Trophy.