Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to set aside their pride and embrace the hybrid model proposed for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The eight-nation ICC event is scheduled to be hosted in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi from February 19 to March 9. However, the tournament’s future remains uncertain as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly stated that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan, citing safety concerns.
If the hybrid model is approved for the Champions Trophy, India is expected to play its matches in Dubai. Following the BCCI’s refusal, the PCB sought clarification from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the rationale behind India’s decision to avoid traveling to Pakistan.
While addressing the news agency PTI Harbhajan Singh said, “Ask all players, they would say they are ready to play in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. In any case, we don’t see too many Indo-Pak games as such, and Pakistan should keep their ego aside and agree to the hybrid model. There is a security concern (for India) and I have been saying this since 2022″.
“Don’t come to India if you don’t want to, we don’t have any issues. If Pakistan doesn’t come to India, it won’t matter much. You may ask current cricketers and they will have the same opinion. Had the situation in Pakistan been different, things could have been different”, he added.
The PCB remains resolute in its desire to host the ICC event in Pakistan. However, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently adopted a more conciliatory tone, stating that any decision made by the board would prioritize the advancement of global cricket.
“A lot is happening at the moment, and I want to ensure that nothing I say jeopardizes the ongoing process. We’ve presented our perspective, and India has shared theirs. Everyone involved is working hard to find a win-win solution, and above all, to ensure that cricket emerges as the true winner,” Naqvi said
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Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
