Harbhajan Singh Questions India's Participation in Pakistan-Hosted Champions Trophy

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his concerns over the safety of Indian players in Pakistan, casting doubt on India's participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in the country.

During an appearance on a Pakistani TV show, Harbhajan stated, "If our players are not safe in Pakistan, we won't send the team. If you want to play, play; if not, then don't. Indian cricket can still survive without Pakistan. If you guys can survive without Indian cricket, do it."

Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9 next year, marking the first major cricket event in the country since the 1996 World Cup. However, India's participation has been thrown into question due to security concerns.

Earlier this week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly indicated that it would request the ICC to adopt a hybrid model for the tournament, with matches potentially being played in Dubai or Sri Lanka.

Pakistan has reportedly designated Lahore as the venue for all of India's matches for logistical convenience. However, Harbhajan's comments suggest that the safety of Indian players remains a paramount concern.

India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and the two nations have only faced each other in multi-team events since then. The last time India played a match in Pakistan was during the 2008 Asia Cup.

The Champions Trophy is an eight-nation tournament that will feature some of the world's top cricket teams. Pakistan emerged as champions in the 2017 edition, defeating India in the final at The Oval in London.

The ICC is expected to make a decision on the venue and format of the 2025 Champions Trophy in the coming months.

Tags: #Cricket, #ChampionsTrophy, #India, #Pakistan, #HarbhajanSingh