NEW DELHI, 8 NOV

According to reports, Indian cricket team has allegedly refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy tournament, expected to be held in early 2025 with India’s matches likely to be held at a neutral venue.

It is reliably learnt that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated their decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other stakeholders, and there is a bright possibility of some matches being played in Dubai. In response to these reports, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not hold back in expressing his disappointment.

“In recent years, Pakistan has extended numerous good gestures. However, we hope we are not expected to always do so,” Naqvi, who also serves as the Interior Minister, told reporters in Lahore, as quoted by Geo News. The Champions Trophy will feature two groups of four teams each, with participants including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and defending champions Pakistan. India and Pakistan have not engaged in a bilateral cricket series since the 2012-13 Pakistan tour of India. The last Test series took place in December 2007 in India. India’s last tour of Pakistan for a bilateral series was in 2006, with their most recent visit to Pakistan being for the Asia Cup in 2008.

Last year, Pakistan was set to host the Asia Cup in full, but India played its matches in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model. The latest encounter occurred during this year’s ICC T20 World Cup on 9 July. —PTI