"KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav are all welcome" - Mohammad Rizwan wants to host Indian players for 2025 Champions Trophy
Pakistan white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan has assured that all members of Team India will be welcomed if they decide to cross the border to partake in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament is currently at a standstill after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed their reluctance to travel to Pakistan to compete in the multi-nation event.
India's latest proclamation leaves the International Cricket Council (ICC) between a rock and a hard place. A hybrid model has been proposed, but PCB are unwilling to steer matters in a similar direction as the 2023 Asia Cup, where they had to concede. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought a written explanation, and are willing to get their government involved as well.
Recently, Team India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav was questioned in South Africa by some Pakistani fans regarding the nation's reservation to travel for the Champions Trophy.
“Aap Pakistan kyun nahi aate (Why don’t you come to Pakistan,” a fan could be heard saying in the video.
“Arey bhaiya! Humare haath me thodi hai (Hey borther, it’s not in our hands),” replied Suryakumar in the video.
Mohammad Rizwan was asked to share his take regarding the entire situation as he leads Pakistan for the first time in a T20I series.
"KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav are all welcome. All the players who will come, we will welcome them. This is not our decision, this is PCB's decision. Whatever decision will take place, hopefully they will all discuss and take the right call. But we are hopeful that if the Indian players will come, we will welcome them," Mohammad Rizwan said ahead of the first T20I against Australia in Brisbane via India Today.
It is worth noting that Pakistan travelled to India to participate in the 2023 ODI World Cup. They played their games across five different cities but didn't had a fruitful campaign as they were knocked out from the group stages.
Champions Trophy 2025 could be shifted to South Africa if PCB does not accept hybrid model
There is a lot of uncertainty and alternate possibilities being concerned, with consequences being dire for several parties in almost all scenarios. A recent report by the Indian Express stated that Pakistan are unwilling to embrace a hybrid model again, which leaves the ICC no choice but to shift the tournament elsewhere.
Amid all the speculations, the Champions Trophy, which is due to return after a long gap, might be shiifted to South Africa, according to a report in PTI via News18.
However, should such a situation arise, Pakistan might boycott and not participate in the event, and forbid playing against India in future competitions. This comes as a huge blow to the broadcasters and naturally, the ICC.