“Pakistan Went To India, Now…”: Ex-Pak Captain’s Passionate Champions Trophy Plea

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has expressed his views on India’s potential withdrawal from the 2025 Champions Trophy. Since Pakistan was awarded hosting rights, there has been ongoing debate about whether India will travel to the neighboring country. The two nations have not played a bilateral series in over a year, with India’s last visit to Pakistan occurring in 2006 and their last bilateral series taking place in India in 2012/13. Due to political tensions, it is reported that the Indian government may not grant travel clearance for the tournament in Pakistan.

Despite these tensions, Malik has urged the Indian team to visit Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of keeping politics separate from sports. He noted that Pakistan visited India last year for the ICC ODI World Cup and encouraged reciprocity, highlighting the opportunity for Indian players to experience Pakistan’s hospitality.

“Any issues or disputes between the two countries are a separate matter and should be resolved separately in whatever way is necessary. Politics should not come into sports. The Pakistan team went to India last year, and now the Indian team has the opportunity to come here. I think many players in the Indian team have never played in Pakistan, so this would be a good opportunity for them. We are very hospitable people, and I am sure the Indian team should definitely come,” Malik told Cricket Pakistan.

According to a PTI report, the PCB has left the matter to the ICC to convince India to participate in the tournament. Although the budget for the Champions Trophy was approved at recent ICC meetings in Colombo, the schedule and format were not discussed. A PCB insider mentioned that the draft schedule and format have been submitted, proposing that all of India’s games, including a potential semi-final and final, be held in Lahore. It is now up to the ICC to finalize the schedule.