Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mahmood said that there are less chances of India playing in Pakistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI doesn’t want to send their team to the neighbouring country for the ICC tournament scheduled in February-March in 2025.
The Indian team has not played against Pakistan in Pakistan since the Asia Cup 2008.
India and Pakistan don’t play bilateral series due to political tension. Khalid Mahmood reminded the Pakistan Cricket Board that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is the richest cricketing body in the world and they have a lot of influence on world cricket. He warned that other countries like Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh could stop playing in the country if India doesn’t come.
“The chances of India coming to Pakistan are less. They are the richest cricket board in the world and carries a lot of influence. If they don’t send their players to our country, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh could boycott Pakistan,” Mahmood said on Cricket Pakistan.
He said that boycotting future ICC events in India will not help Pakistan.
“You can try to convince other boards to be with you. India have a strong hold in the ICC. Pakistan will not be able to achieve anything if they try to follow tit-for-tat policy. When the BCCI says it will not play in Pakistan and will compete outside the country, it reduces the importance of an ICC event in Pakistan,” he added.
The Asia Cup in 2023 was co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka after India refused to come to the country. The Men in Blue are expected to play their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy 2025. As per the draft schedule submitted to apex body of international cricket, Pakistan have kept India’s matches in Lahore.
