Pakistan is the designated host for the 2025 Champions Trophy, but a disagreement has emerged over whether India will participate. BCCI has suggested a hybrid model where India would play their matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Sri Lanka.
Courtesy: ANI (File Photo)
New Delhi: The rivalry between India and Pakistan among the el-Classico clashes in sports. With the 2025 Champions Trophy set to take place in Pakistan, tensions have arisen regarding India's participation. Pakistan cricketer Hasan Ali has made a bold statement, saying that Pakistan is prepared to host the tournament even if Team India does not agree to travel to Pakistan.
Pakistan is the designated host for the 2025 Champions Trophy, but a disagreement has emerged over whether India will participate. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suggested a hybrid model where India would play their matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Sri Lanka. However, no agreement has been reached.
Hasan Ali's strong stand
Hasan Ali spoke to Pakistan-based news channel Samaa TV, stating that Indian cricketers are keen to play in Pakistan, despite the political tensions.
“Many Indian players have said in interviews that they want to play in Pakistan. So, it doesn't mean that the team doesn't want to come; they definitely do,” Ali stated. “But obviously, they have to consider their policies, their country, and their board,” he added.
Hasan Ali said “If India doesn't want to come to Pakistan, we will play Champions Trophy without them. There are many other teams too, cricket won't stop” 🇵🇰🔥🔥
What will our neighbors say now? Should we host Champions Trophy in Pakistan without India?
[via Samaa News] pic.twitter.com/rjLmX5lpyl
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 21, 2024
Ready to play without India
Ali made it clear that Pakistan is ready to proceed with the Champions Trophy even without India. “As the PCB chairman has said, if the Champions Trophy is being hosted by Pakistan, it will only be played in Pakistan. If India does not want to come, we will play without them,” he asserted. “If India doesn't participate, it doesn't mean cricket has ended,” Ali remarked.
Asia Cup 2023: Hybrid model
This is not the first time such an issue has surfaced. In 2023, India played all their games in Sri Lanka, despite Pakistan being the official hosts. However, later that year, Pakistan did travel to India for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. India toured Pakistan during the 2008 Asia Cup, which was also the last ICC tournament hosted by Pakistan.
