India and Pakistan haven’t played any bilateral cricket series for a long time now, though the Pakistani cricket team has visited India for taking part in the multi-nation or ICC tournaments on few occasions, India hasn’t visited Pakistan since 2008 Asia Cup.
Now once again we are getting to hear many discussions and debates on the topic of whether the Indian cricket team should visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 or not. The Champions Trophy 2025 will be hosted by Pakistan and the Board of Control for Cricket in India has already asked the International Cricket Council that the matches of team India should be shifted to Dubai or Sri Lanka.
However, this time Pakistan is not willing to shift the matches outside the country and it has threatened that if India doesn’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, it will also boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
As per latest reports, the PCB has asked the ICC to convince the BCCI to send team India to Pakistan for the CT2025 and quite a few former Pakistani players have also urged the same to the BCCI.
Recently, former Pakistani cricketer Younis Khan asked the BCCI to send team India to Pakistan as Virat Kohli hasn’t played in Pakistan since he has started playing for the senior team and Pakistani cricket fans also want to see him play over there.
Now Shoaib Malik has also said that the Indian team should travel to Pakistan for taking part in the tournament because there are many players in the team who haven’t played in Pakistan and this is a good opportunity for them.
During an interview, Shoaib Malik said, “Whatever reservations there are between the countries, that’s a separate issue and should be solved separately. Politics shouldn’t come into sports. The Pakistan team went to India last year, and now it’s a good opportunity for the Indian team too. I think there are many players in the Indian team who haven’t played in Pakistan, so it would be great for them. Hum bahut acche log hai (we are very good people). We’re very hospitable people, so I’m sure the Indian team should definitely come.”
You can watch the interview by clicking here
The PCB is leaving no chance in making it difficult for the BCCI to make excuses as it has scheduled all the matches of the Indian team in Lahore including the semi-final and final, if India qualifies. Because of this arrangement, the Indian team will stay in the same hotel for the whole tournament and it will help the agencies in providing security in the best possible manner.
Will Indian government allow the BCCI to send team India to Pakistan for playing in the Champions Trophy 2025? What do you think? Let us know your views.
