"How neutral they can be" - Salman Butt says it is ICC's duty to ensure India visit Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy
Salman Butt feels that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should not be concerned about India's availability for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. He opined that it is the International Cricket Council's (ICC) duty to ensure that all teams visit Pakistan for the event.
The former Pakistan captain suggested that the ICC's stance on India's reluctance to visit Pakistan will show how neutral they are. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-expert remarked (from 3:38):
"If they come, then they welcome, if they don't, the ICC has to deal with it. We will find out if they can just deal with all the other countries or can do the same with India as well. It will show how much authority they have as a regulator and how neutral they can be."
It is worth mentioning that the Men in Blue last traveled to Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup. India refused to visit Pakistan for the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup last year, which led to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) going ahead with a hybrid model.
"I don't think he's given any signals" - Salman Butt on Jay Shah's comments on 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
BCCI secretary Jay Shah recently confirmed that Team India's senior stars will participate in the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy. Reacting to the comments, Salman Butt reckoned that Pakistan shouldn't be happy with the statement, as Shah never confirmed that India will travel to their neighboring country.
Pointing out that the ICC should sort this issue out, Butt said (from 1:13):
"We try sensationalizing everything. There have been a few reports suggesting that Jay Shah has given a positive signal. However, I don't think he's given any signals. I wouldn't have been excited even if there had been a signal from him because it is the ICC's duty to ensure that all teams visit Pakistan.
"When the World Cup was in India last year, it was said that Pakistan wouldn't go unless there was confirmation from India about the Champions Trophy. The Indian media responded by saying that it was an ICC event. So I think we should also stick to that. I don't think we should be worried about anything."
Butt mentioned that instead of worrying about India's availablity, Pakistan should shift their focus on making the event a success by working on their venues and security, adding (from 2:32):
"Pakistan should not be worried about who is coming and who is not. They should be concerned about making the event a success and providing good venues, hotels and security. There are no problems with these things, that is why teams have been visiting Pakistan in the last couple of years. So, if India decide anything else, it is for the ICC to counter, not for us."
Despite India's reluctance to tour Pakistan, the Pakistani side have visited India for ICC events in 2011, 2016 and 2023.