Cricket

India's decision to not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked controversy and raised questions about the role of politics in sports. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed disappointment, while a Pakistani journalist raised the issue during a US Department of State press briefing.The journalist questioned the US's stance on India's refusal to participate in the tournament, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel responded that the matter was between India and Pakistan, and the US would not take a position.Patel acknowledged the unifying power of sports but emphasized that bilateral relations between India and Pakistan were for them to address. He added that the US would not interfere in their relationship.The PCB has rejected any "hybrid" solution that would allow India to play their matches in Dubai. India last toured Pakistan in 2008, but political tensions have prevented them from returning since.The journalist's question highlighted the complex relationship between sports and politics. While sports can bring people together, it can also be used as a tool for political leverage. The Champions Trophy controversy underscores the challenges of separating the two.

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 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.