Former Indian pacer Harbhajan Singh has backed India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While the BCCI is yet to announce its final decision on the matter, it is highly unlikely that it will get permission from the Indian government to send the team to Pakistan.
Bilateral ties between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been suspended for over a decade due to political tension between the two nations. The BCCI severed its ties with the PCB in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
India has not visited Pakistan since 2008, while the last bilateral series between the two countries was held in the 2012-13 season. India has continued to play Pakistan in ICC competitions and the Asia Cup, but has remained firm on its decision not to visit the country.
The security issue there is significant: Harbhajan Singh:
While only time will tell whether India will visit Pakistan or not for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Harbhajan Singh feels that the team should not cross the border next year. Speaking to IANS, the Indian all-rounder asserted that security remains a big issue in Pakistan and the team should not take any chances.
“Why should the Indian team travel to Pakistan? The security issue there is a major one. The situation in Pakistan is such that incidents happen almost every day. I don’t think it is safe to travel there. The BCCI’s stance is absolutely correct and nothing is more important than the safety of our players,” Harbhajan Singh said.
IANS Exclusive
Delhi: On India’s visit to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy, former cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh says, “Why should the Indian team go to Pakistan? The security issue there is significant. The situation in Pakistan is such that… pic.twitter.com/29qeXMuiEW
— IANS (@ians_india) July 25, 2024
The chances of India travelling to Pakistan are extremely low. In case India decides not to go to Pakistan, the Champions Trophy is likely to be played across two venues. A similar arrangement was made for the Asia Cup last year as well. The PCB had the hosting rights for the continental championship last year.
However, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. As a result, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) came up with a hybrid model where India would play all its matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka. The ICC has reportedly already started preparing for such a situation and has earmarked additional funds in case the Champions Trophy becomes a two-nation competition.
