Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly preparing to request an explanation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India's refusal to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.According to sources, the PCB is drafting a questionnaire to seek clarification from the ICC on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has denied accepting a hybrid model that would allow India to play their matches at a neutral venue.The PCB's move comes amid reports that Pakistan is considering withdrawing from the tournament if it is moved out of the country. The ICC has the option of hosting the tournament in a different country, with South Africa and the UAE being potential candidates.The PCB's decision to seek an explanation from the ICC is seen as an attempt to resolve the issue and ensure Pakistan's participation in the tournament. The PCB believes that understanding India's reasons for refusing to tour Pakistan is crucial for determining the next steps.Bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan have been suspended since 2012, although both nations continue to face off in ICC events. The most recent encounter between the two teams was at the T20 World Cup in 2022.Last year's Asia Cup, which Pakistan was originally scheduled to host exclusively, adopted a hybrid format due to India's stance against playing in Pakistan. India's matches were relocated to Sri Lanka, while Pakistan retained partial hosting rights.The Indian team last toured Pakistan in 2008. The PCB's request for an explanation from the ICC is a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the Champions Trophy and the strained cricketing relations between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan's seasoned all-rounder Shoaib Malik has extended an invitation to the Indian cricket team to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan. Malik's invitation underscores the importance of separating politics from sports, emphasizing that bilateral issues between India and Pakistan should be addressed independently of their cricketing engagements."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 good people). We're very hospitable people, so I'm sure the Indian team should definitely come," Malik told Cricket Pakistan.Despite Malik's welcoming stance, reports indicate reluctance from the Indian cricket team regarding their travel to Pakistan for the tournament, primarily due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations. It has also been suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might seek to have their matches relocated to alternative venues such as Sri Lanka or Dubai.This development comes amidst a longstanding hiatus in bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan, with the last series on Pakistani soil taking place during the 2008 Asia Cup. Since then, encounters between the two teams have been confined to ICC tournaments and Asia Cups, with their most recent bilateral series occurring in India from December 2012 to January 2013.The Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a significant event, with Pakistan aiming to replicate their success from the 2017 edition of the tournament. India, on the other hand, will be looking to add to their victories from 2013 and the shared triumph in 2002.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied rumors of proposing an offshore T20I series against India, emphasizing its current focus on the successful hosting of the Champions Trophy. Despite speculations of discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCCI officials, a reliable source within the PCB has clarified that no such proposal is being considered.The PCB's primary objectives at the ICC meetings in Colombo are to secure budget approval for the Champions Trophy and to obtain assurances from the ICC and BCCI regarding India's participation in the tournament in Pakistan. The source stressed that these are the board's top priorities, and any bilateral ventures with India are not currently under consideration.India has suspended bilateral cricket series with Pakistan since 2012, and the two nations have not played a Test series since 2007. The participation of India in the Champions Trophy remains uncertain, with rumors suggesting that the Men in Blue may prefer to play their matches outside Pakistan.The PCB's focus on the Champions Trophy is understandable, given the tournament's significance and the challenges involved in hosting such a major event. The board is determined to ensure a smooth and successful tournament, which will be a major boost for Pakistan's cricket infrastructure and reputation.While the possibility of an offshore T20I series between Pakistan and India remains a topic of speculation, it is clear that the PCB's current priorities lie elsewhere. The board is committed to delivering a memorable Champions Trophy and securing India's participation in the tournament, which would be a significant step towards the resumption of bilateral cricket between the two nations.

Cricket Australia (CA) remains steadfast in its decision to withhold bilateral cricket matches with Afghanistan due to the Taliban government's stance on women's rights. CA CEO Nick Hockley emphasized that ongoing discussions with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have not yielded sufficient progress.Despite withdrawing from three bilateral series with Afghanistan, Australia has continued to face the team at ICC events. Following Afghanistan's historic victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup, Usman Khawaja and Rashid Khan expressed contrasting views on CA's stance.Hockley acknowledged Afghanistan's impressive performance in the tournament but reiterated CA's commitment to human rights. He stated that the decision to postpone bilateral matches was made after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including the Australian government.CA maintains regular dialogue with the ACB and hopes to resume bilateral cricket in the future. However, the organization emphasizes the need for progress on women's rights.Meanwhile, 17 Afghanistan women players have appealed to the ICC for assistance in establishing a refugee team based in Australia. Hockley acknowledged the request and indicated that it would be discussed at upcoming ICC meetings.Hockley also confirmed that Australia is eager to host Bangladesh's men's team in the next FTP cycle. Bangladesh last played Tests in Australia in 2003 and a bilateral ODI series in 2008.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has expressed his eagerness to play a Test series against Pakistan overseas. In a recent podcast interview, Rohit emphasized the benefits of resuming bilateral cricket between the two nations, which has been suspended since 2012-13.Rohit believes that playing overseas would provide a unique challenge for both teams, especially given Pakistan's formidable bowling attack. "They're a good team. They have got a superb bowling line-up. So it'll be a good contest especially if you play overseas conditions. That'll be awesome," he said.The Indian captain acknowledged the political complexities surrounding India-Pakistan cricket, but stressed that he is solely focused on the sporting aspect. "I'm not interested in anything else. It's pure cricket, game between bat and ball. It'll be a great contest," he stated.Rohit's comments echo the sentiments of several cricket administrators who have advocated for the resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan. In recent years, the ECB and Cricket Australia have expressed interest in hosting the marquee series.The last time India and Pakistan played a complete bilateral series involving both Tests and white-ball cricket was in 2007. Rohit, who was a member of that Indian team, fondly remembers the experience. "It was a great series. The atmosphere was electric. I would love to play them again in a Test series," he said.Rohit's endorsement of overseas India-Pakistan Test cricket is a significant development, as it adds the voice of a prominent Indian cricketer to the growing chorus calling for the resumption of bilateral ties. It remains to be seen whether the political climate will allow for such a series to take place, but Rohit's comments have certainly reignited the debate.