The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the Indian team will not be sent to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy citing unresolved security issues. This decision follows political tensions that have restricted the India and Pakistan teams to encounter only during ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. India played in Pakistan back in 2008, during the Asia Cup. There have been no bilateral series since their 2012-13 tour in India.
While the BCCI made it clear that the travel isn’t possible due to ‘security reasons’, some former Pakistan cricketers have claimed that the country is as safe as it can be for Indian players. However, the discussion around the topic isn’t just confined to the country, fans are debating the matter even in South Africa.
Recently, a video of Indian Cricket Team T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s interaction with a Pakistani fan has gone viral
In the viral video, India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav can be seen confronted by a fan who asked him the real reason behind the team’s decision to not travel to Pakistan. His response is making waves all over social media.
In the video, while interacting with fans in Centurion, a fan asks Suryakumar,
“Mujhe ek baat bata saktein hai ke Pakistan kyu nahi aa rahe aap (Tell me why are you not coming to Pakistan)?”
Surya responds by giving a diplomatic reply that it is not a decision to be made by the players reflecting the serious tension surrounding India’s decision not to participate in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy if it’s held in Pakistan. He says,
“Arrey bhaiya, hamare hath mein thodi hai (Brother, it is not in our hands)”
Here is the viral video
Pakistan Fans asking India’s T20I Captain @surya_14kumar – Why won’t he come to Pakistan ?
Answer–He won’t be selected.
How will he go to Pakistan ?#ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/BgPlCcbROy— alekhaNikun (@nikun28) November 11, 2024
ICC Requests PCB’s Decision on Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy after India’s travel refusal. It has also been reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking to snub the tournament if the Indian team maintains its decision of not traveling across the border. Reports from Pakistan’s leading newspaper ‘Dawn’ have suggested that the Pakistani government might even ask the PCB to withdraw from the tournament in protest.
Dawn quoted a source as saying,
“In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy”
If Pakistan forgoes participation, it could intensify the strain between the two nations.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in a tough spot. There are speculations that the Champions Trophy could be moved entirely to South Africa if Pakistan does not agree to a compromise.
What are your views on the matter? Let us know in the comments.