"It is a joke" - Javed Miandad reacts after India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy
Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has described India's decision to not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as a joke. He has reportedly also called for a boycott of matches with India.
On Sunday, November 10, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed receiving an e-mail from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which stated that India has refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in February-March next year.
Following the development, several former Pakistan cricketers have lashed out at India. Sharing his reaction, Miandad said (as quoted by PTI):
“It is a joke that this is happening. Even if we don't play India at all, Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper as well as we have shown in the past. I would like to see how the ICC events earn money when there are no Pakistan and India matches."
Another former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq also expressed his disappointment and commented:
“They are depriving cricket of such a big occasion. There is no threat to the Indian team in Pakistan. In fact, they would get the best hospitality here.”
Meanwhile, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi stated that the cricket board has initiated talks with the government to discuss the future course of action following ICC's e-mail over India's unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
“It's unacceptable as there is no logical reason for India to again refuse to send its team to Pakistan. Preparations for the event are on schedule and we have already assured the ICC of all the best security arrangements for all teams including India,” the official was quoted as saying by PTI.
Meanwhile, some reports in the Pakistan media have claimed that its government is likely to direct the PCB to stop playing India in ICC and multi-nation events until the Indian government changes its policy.
India might play 2025 Champions Trophy matches in a hybrid model
With India confirming that they won't travel to Pakistan for next year's Champions Trophy, reports are emerging that the Men in Blue could play their matches in a hybrid model. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly emerged as the favorite to host Team India's matches in the ICC event.
The Indian cricket team hasn't traveled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008. Pakistan also hosted the Asia Cup last year. However, the Men in Blue played all their matches in Sri Lanka in a hybrid model.