"Give Pakistan two points" - Basit Ali's suggestion on India-Pakistan stalemate ahead of 2025 Champions Trophy
Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali recently gave his take on India's unwillingness to tour Pakistan for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy. He opined that even if the competition is played in a hybrid model, all of Pakistan's matches should be played on their home soil. He pointed out that they have the hosting rights.
Basit suggested that Pakistan should be awarded two points if India refuse to play their match against them on Pakistani soil. He pointed out that Sri Lanka were handed points after West Indies and Australia forfeited their respective 1996 World Cup fixtures. They did so due to the bombing at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-expert said (from 2:58):
"Do you remember that in the 1996 World Cup Sri Lanka got 2-2 points after West Indies and Australia did not go. Try to put India and Pakistan in different pools, the ICC will refuse. Pakistan and India are always in the same pool because of money. If there is a hybrid model and India don't visit Pakistan, give Pakistan two points. It has happened before too, so try it now."
It is worth mentioning that the BCCI have already sent an email to the PCB, confirming that the Indian team won't visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Pakistani board has forwarded the email to the ICC.
"Try to ban Pakistan if you have the courage" - Basit Ali's message to ICC ahead of 2025 Champions Trophy
Basit Ali emphasized that Pakistan should not agree if they aren't allowed to host all of their matches on home soil. He reckoned that Pakistan should not participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy if the tournament is shifted to another country.
The 53-year-old claimed that the ICC won't be able to ban Pakistan even if they boycott the 2025 Champions Trophy. Basit said in the aforementioned video:
"Pakistan should play all their matches in Pakistan. It is as simple as that. Pakistan should not participate if the Champions Trophy is taken from them and conducted in some other country. People are saying that the ICC will ban Pakistan if they don't participate. Try to ban Pakistan if you have the courage. Everyone will lose their sleep."
The upcoming ninth edition of the Champions Trophy will be a 50-over tournament that will feature the top eight teams of the format.