India’s participation in next year’s Champions Trophy remains a mystery as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to clarify the team’s travel plans. The BCCI has time and again reiterated that the Indian team will only travel to Pakistan if the central government allows it. Amid the ongoing debate, former Pakistani cricketer Moin Khan has urged legendary Indian players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Kapil Dev and Rahul Dravid to persuade the BCCI to send Team India to the Champions Trophy.
“Former Indian cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid etc should ask their board to keep politics away from cricket. Cricket should not be hampered by political issues. Fans would love to see India and Pakistan play. It will not only benefit Pakistan but will benefit cricket in general,” Moin said at an event.
Moin, however, said Pakistan should also not send its team to India if it does not come for the Champions Trophy.
“India must honour its commitments to the ICC. And if they fail to do so, Pakistan should reconsider its decision to participate in any future events scheduled for India,” he added.
The PCB has proposed that the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy begin on February 19 and be held in Pakistan, refusing to consider a hybrid model for India's matches, as in the case of the 2023 Asia Cup.
As per the PCB proposal, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with all matches to be held in three major cities – Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore. According to PCB sources, International Cricket Council (ICC) officials, who visited Pakistan to inspect preparations for the event, have expressed satisfaction with the systems in place.
If the Champions Trophy stays in Pakistan, it could be the first major international cricket tournament hosted exclusively by that country.
(With inputs from IANS)
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