Cricket

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has implored the Indian cricket team to prioritize sports over politics and participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host.India's participation in the tournament has been uncertain due to political tensions between the two nations. India has not toured Pakistan for a bilateral series since 2012/13, and its last visit to the country for any cricket match was in 2006.Malik emphasized that political disputes should not interfere with sporting events. "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," he said.He highlighted that the Pakistan team visited India for the ICC ODI World Cup last year and expressed his belief that the Indian team should reciprocate. "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 stated.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly left the matter of India's participation in the hands of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The PCB has submitted a draft schedule and format for the tournament, including a proposal to host all of India's games in Lahore.The ICC is yet to finalize the schedule and format of the Champions Trophy. However, the PCB has fulfilled its responsibilities as the host nation by submitting the necessary documents.Malik's plea for India's participation in the Champions Trophy underscores the importance of separating politics from sports. He believes that the tournament should be an opportunity for both countries to showcase their cricketing prowess and foster goodwill.

Pakistan's hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy have ignited uncertainty over India's participation due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations. Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been suspended since 2013, leaving the BCCI facing the prospect of not receiving travel clearance from the Indian government for the tournament in Pakistan.However, Pakistan's recent visit to India for the 2023 fifty-over World Cup has sparked discussions about a potential thaw in relations. The initial Champions Trophy schedule designates Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium as the venue for all of India's matches, including the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan.Amidst the ongoing debate, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has implored India to travel to Pakistan, emphasizing that it is the "only thing left" in Virat Kohli's illustrious career. Kohli, who made his international debut in 2008, has never played a Test match against Pakistan and has not played a bilateral series in the country since 2006.The BCCI has reportedly proposed a hybrid model similar to the one used for last year's Asia Cup, where India's matches were held in Sri Lanka. The PCB has entrusted the ICC with the responsibility of persuading the BCCI to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.According to a PCB source, the budget for the tournament has been approved, but the schedule and format have yet to be finalized. The PCB has proposed hosting all of India's games in Lahore, including a potential semi-final and final if India qualifies.The outcome of the Champions Trophy hosting rights for Pakistan hinges on the BCCI's decision, which will be influenced by the political climate between the two countries. If India does not participate, it would be a significant blow to the tournament and a missed opportunity for fans to witness some of the world's best cricketers in action.

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.

Legendary Pakistani cricketer Younis Khan has extended an invitation to Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. Khan believes that Kohli's presence in Pakistan would be a significant milestone in his illustrious career.Kohli has never played in Pakistan with the senior Indian national team, although he toured the country with the India U-19 team in 2006. However, he has faced Pakistan in numerous ICC tournaments and boasts an impressive record against the arch-rivals."Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. It's our wish too. I think the only thing left in Kohli's career is to tour Pakistan and perform in Pakistan," Younis told News24.India and Pakistan have not engaged in any bilateral cricket series since 2012, and the participation of India in the Champions Trophy remains uncertain due to the BCCI's firm stance against sending their players to compete in Pakistan.The PCB has placed the responsibility on the ICC to persuade the BCCI to send their team to Pakistan for the forthcoming Champions Trophy, which is planned to take place in the initial months of the following year.A source from the PCB revealed that although the budget for the Champions Trophy was approved during the recent ICC meetings held in Colombo, the schedule and format of the tournament were not discussed at all."The PCB now has done what was required of it as hosts of the Champions Trophy. It has submitted the draft schedule and format for the event and also submitted a budget for the event," a PCB insider said."It is now up to the ICC how soon they circulate, discuss and finalize the schedule of the Champions Trophy. The PCB for its part in the draft schedule has suggested hosting all of India's games in Lahore including a semi-final (if India qualifies) and final," he said.

India's participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan, has become a subject of intense speculation. Recent reports suggest that the Indian government may not grant clearance for the team to travel to Pakistan, raising doubts about India's presence at the tournament.This issue stems from the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. In 2023, India declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, with their matches being played in Sri Lanka instead. Similar concerns have been raised regarding the Champions Trophy.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to make an official statement on the matter. However, BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla has denied rumors that India will not travel to Pakistan, stating that the board has not yet discussed the issue.Amidst the uncertainty, a video of former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh expressing his views on the matter has resurfaced. In an interview with Pakistani TV channel ARY News, Singh asserted that India would not send its team to Pakistan if the players' safety could not be guaranteed. He also emphasized that Indian cricket could survive without Pakistan's participation.On the other hand, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has maintained that India should honor Pakistan's hosting rights and travel to the country for the Champions Trophy. He pointed out that India's kabaddi and tennis teams have recently played tournaments in Pakistan, indicating that the Indian government cannot selectively choose which sports to participate in.The ICC is expected to address the issue at its upcoming general meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The outcome of this meeting will likely determine India's participation in the Champions Trophy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has adopted an assertive stance, demanding that the Champions Trophy 2025 be held entirely within Pakistan. This stance comes in response to reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may request a hybrid model, with India playing their matches in a neutral country.The PCB's unwavering position stems from the strained political relations and security concerns between India and Pakistan. India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and the BCCI's reluctance to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy has raised concerns.The PCB has threatened to withdraw from the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, if India refuses to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. This move highlights the PCB's determination to host the tournament on its own soil.The ICC finds itself in a difficult position, balancing the interests of both cricketing powerhouses. The upcoming ICC Annual Conference in Colombo will be a crucial juncture, where the PCB is expected to vehemently oppose any hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025.The PCB's stance is supported by the fact that Pakistan successfully hosted the 2022 Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore, demonstrating its ability to provide a secure environment for international cricket.The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been marred by political and security issues since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The last time India toured Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup. The countries have since met only in ICC events or Asia Cup tournaments held in neutral venues.The PCB's determination to host the Champions Trophy 2025 entirely in Pakistan is a testament to its commitment to promoting cricket in the country and showcasing its capabilities as a host nation. The ICC will have to carefully consider the PCB's demands while ensuring the integrity of the tournament and the safety of all participants.

Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi has extended an invitation to Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, expressing that he would be met with immense love and admiration if he visited Pakistan. Afridi's comments come amidst reports of India's hesitation to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan.Afridi urged the Indian team to prioritize cricket over political tensions and visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He emphasized that cricket tours should be kept separate from politics, as the rivalry between India and Pakistan on the field is unparalleled."I welcome the Indian team (in Pakistan) and they should come. We've always received huge respect and love in our tours of India. In the same way, the Indian team also received love and respect during their tour in 2005. Cricket tours should be kept aside from politics. There is no big politics than India and Pakistan playing against each other in their countries," Afridi stated.Afridi expressed his admiration for Kohli, calling him his favorite player and praising his exceptional talent. He believes that Kohli would be overwhelmed by the love he would receive in Pakistan, surpassing the affection he has experienced in India."Virat will forget the love he has received in India when he would play in Pakistan. He has a huge craze in Pakistan and our people like him very much. In fact, he is my favorite player. He has his own class and he shouldn't have retired from T20Is as because of him T20I looked beautiful," Afridi said.Regarding the future of Indian cricket, Afridi identified Shubman Gill as a potential successor to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. He attributed the emergence of young talent to the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has created a vast pool of players.Afridi also emphasized the importance of stability in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) administration. He believes that the PCB Chairman should be appointed for an extended tenure to ensure continuity and allow the Pakistan captain to remain in his post for a longer period."Chairman should at least get three years so that Pakistan captain can remain for 2-3 years at his post. With the change of chairman, other things should not be affected. If we work on the basis of merit, the results will come," Afridi concluded.

India-Pakistan Cricket Series: Glimmer of Hope EmergesThe prospect of a bilateral cricket series between arch-rivals India and Pakistan has ignited excitement among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has hinted at "promising opportunities" for such a series.Naqvi's statement has raised hopes that the two nations could potentially resume their cricketing rivalry, which has been on hold for over a decade due to political tensions. The PCB chairman suggested that the series could be played in Australia, but did not rule out the possibility of matches being held in Pakistan.The news has been met with enthusiasm by cricket fans, who have long yearned to witness the historic rivalry between India and Pakistan. The matches between the two sides are known for their intense atmosphere and passionate fan support.However, it is important to note that there is still no official confirmation from the Indian cricket board regarding their participation in a potential series. The Indian government has previously expressed concerns about the safety of its players in Pakistan.Naqvi also addressed the issue of fitness standards for the Pakistan cricket team. He emphasized that the Yo-Yo test, a measure of endurance and agility, will be mandatory for all players. He stated that players who fail to meet the fitness requirements will not be eligible for selection to the national team.The PCB chairman's comments have sparked optimism among cricket fans, who hope that the India-Pakistan series will become a reality in the near future. The resumption of the rivalry would not only provide thrilling entertainment but also serve as a symbol of reconciliation between the two nations.

Amidst the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, the fate of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy remains uncertain. Legendary Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram has expressed his hopes that India will participate in the tournament, emphasizing its significance for Pakistan's cricketing future.The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Alongside the hosts, India, Australia, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Afghanistan are expected to compete. However, India's participation is contingent upon the political climate between the two nations.Akram believes that hosting the tournament would be a major boost for cricket in Pakistan. "We have great facilities and are working on new stadiums," he said. "The chairman has started work on the new stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. I believe it will be a great tournament and Pakistan needs that tournament for the betterment of cricket."India has not toured Pakistan for a bilateral series since 2006. The two teams have only faced each other in ICC tournaments since 2013 due to political tensions. According to reports, India is still hesitant to travel to Pakistan, which could result in the tournament being played in a hybrid format.Akram expressed his disappointment over India's reluctance to tour Pakistan. "The whole country is looking forward to receiving all the teams," he said. "The cricket will be great and we will welcome them in splendid fashion."The 2023 Asia Cup, which was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan, was partially relocated to Sri Lanka after the BCCI refused to allow the Indian team to travel to Pakistan. India and Pakistan have not had bilateral tours in cricket since 2012.The BCCI has maintained that the Indian team will only travel to Pakistan if permitted by the central government. The decision ultimately rests with the Indian government, which will consider the political and security implications of the tour.