‘If India doesn’t come to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh may follow the same path’: Former PCB chief

While the PCB wants to hold the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy entirely in Pakistan, India’s refusal to travel to the neighbouring country seems to be a major concern. The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 19 in Karachi and the final of the eight-team tournament will be played on March 9 in Lahore. However, there is a high chance that India will not travel to Pakistan due to the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Khalid Mahmood, former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, believes that India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy would be a no-win deal for the PCB and the ICC.

“The chances of them playing in Pakistan are very slim,” Mahmood was quoted as saying by PTI.

“India is the richest cricket board and has a lot of influence. If they don’t send their team to Pakistan, I can see even countries like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh following suit. This would effectively reduce the Champions Trophy to a business where revenues will take a hit, expenses will increase and profits will fall,” he added.

Mahmood, a former manager of the Pakistan team, also said that PCB should just follow their policies and not mix sports and politics.

“Look, the point is that at this level you can only lobby and try to convince other boards to come on your side. India has too much influence in the ICC, it would not do Pakistan any good to adopt a tit-for-tat strategy. The point is that when the BCCI says they cannot send their team and will play their matches outside Pakistan, it diminishes Pakistan’s purpose of hosting an ICC event,” he alleged.

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According to media reports, Pakistan will not deviate from its position of holding all Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, but will maintain its position as ‘Pakistani event in Pakistan’.

India last travelled to Pakistan in July 2008 to participate in the Asia Cup. In the last 16 years, Pakistan has travelled to India once for the bilateral series (in 2012-13) and twice for the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.

According to media reports, Pakistan will not deviate from its position of holding all Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, but will maintain its position as ‘Pakistani event in Pakistan’.

India last travelled to Pakistan in July 2008 to participate in the Asia Cup. In the last 16 years, Pakistan has travelled to India once for the bilateral series (in 2012-13) and twice for the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.