Amidst numerous uncertainties surrounding the Champions Trophy, the BCCI has confirmed that India will not travel to Pakistan, while the PCB remains adamant about hosting the entire tournament within Pakistan.
Former Pakistani hard-hitting batter Basit Ali stated that with neither India nor Pakistan willing to compromise, there’s a chance the two teams might be placed in separate groups, though this scenario is unlikely to be approved by broadcasters.
“What did I tell you about the Champions Trophy, I hope you remember. Try and do the hybrid model, Pakistan and India will not be in the same pool. What happened? Now, I talk to the people who say Ashes is a big series, Border-Gavsakar is a very big series, they should open their eyes. The broadcaster isn’t agreeing to (hybrid model or India and Pakistan in different pools) and it won’t,” said Basit Ali on his YouTube channel.
“Pakistan hasn’t won against India in any 50-over World Cup. Even then why an India vs Pakistan match is so much important? Even for ICC, it is not acceptable. If there is no India-Pakistan match in a tournament, then it would be like a tasteless dish”, he added
With both the boards standing firm and not backing down the future is uncertain for the Champions Trophy 2025. According to reports broadcasters jumped in and the hybrid model of India and Pakistan in different groups is not acceptable to them. Pakistani former pacer Shoaib Akhtar warned both PCB and ICC that they’ll lose $100 million (around Rs 844 crore). “If Pakistan is not able to bring India to our country, or to a neutral venue, two things will happen. First, we will lose about $100 million from sponsorship which ICC and the hosting country receive. Second, it will be so much better that India comes to Pakistan, plays in Lahore, and win or lose, whatever may be the scenario,” Shoaib Akhtar said on a Pakistan channel.
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.
