"Hum bahut acche log hai" - Shoaib Malik urges India to visit Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy
Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has urged the Indian men's cricket team to visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The cricketer opined that whatever issues exist between the two nations should be discussed separately, adding that sporting engagements should not suffer because of it.
Pakistan is scheduled to host the Champions Trophy in February-March next year. There is, however, uncertainty over India's participation in the tournament. India and Pakistan haven't played bilateral cricket since 2012 owing to political tension between the two countries.
In a recent interaction with Cricket Pakistan, Malik requested India to change its stance and allow its players to visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He said, as quoted as saying by Times of India:
"Whatever reservations there are between the countries, that's a separate issue and should be solved separately. Politics shouldn't come into sports. Pakistan team went to India last year. Now, it's a good opportunity for the Indian team too.
"I think there are many players in the Indian team who haven't played in Pakistan, so it would be great for them. Hum bahut acche log hai (we are good people). We're very hospitable people, so I'm sure the Indian team should definitely come," the 42-year-old went on to add.
India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup as well last year. The tournament was then held in a hybrid format, with the Men in Blue playing all their matches in Sri Lanka.
Before Malik's appeal, Younis Khan had requested Virat Kohli to visit Pakistan
Malik's appeal to India comes just days after another former captain Younis Khan urged Virat Kohli to come and play the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Younis asserted that people of Pakistan would be very happy if they get to see the star Indian cricketer playing in their country.
"Virat Kohli yahan pe aayein aur aake wo waise hi perform kare. Ek feather reh gaya hai unke career mein ki unhone Pakistan mai nahi khela.
"Agar wo aayenge toh hum sabko bohot acha lagega (Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, it's our wish too. I think the only thing left in Kohli's career is to tour Pakistan and perform in Pakistan. If he comes, we will be very happy)," the 46-year-old told News24, as quoted as saying by TOI.
Pakistan are the defending champions in the Champions Trophy. They hammered India by 180 runs in the 2017 final held at the Kennington Oval in London.