Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take a hard-line approach similar to Sri Lanka’s bold stance during the 1996 World Cup, as uncertainty looms over India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy, set for February-March 2025, faces a potential roadblock, with reports indicating that India will not travel to Pakistan.
Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have reportedly confirmed that India’s government has withheld permission for the team to travel, citing safety issues—a decision that has sparked heated reactions from Pakistan’s cricketing community.
In response, Basit Ali has voiced his concerns on his YouTube channel, calling for the PCB to stand firm if India refuses to participate. Drawing a parallel to the 1996 World Cup, Ali noted that Sri Lanka faced a similar situation when Australia and the West Indies refused to play in Colombo over security fears.
Despite Sri Lanka’s guarantees, both teams remained firm, leading the ICC to grant forfeited points to Sri Lanka for those matches, helping them reach the quarterfinals. He stated,
The PCB should demand points if India refuses to play in Pakistan in case of a hybrid model, similar to the 1996 World Cup situation. Pakistan should be awarded two points if India doesn’t come here to play. Being the host, Pakistan should play all their matches on home soil. If the host location changes, Pakistan should refuse to participate.
Ali’s call for the PCB to emulate Sri Lanka’s approach in 1996 has struck a chord within Pakistan’s cricket circles.
As the Champions Trophy draws nearer, the PCB has not yet made an official response, but the mounting pressure from former players like Basit Ali is likely to ignite further debate.
This uncertainty surrounding India’s involvement not only adds a layer of tension to the event but also raises significant questions about the future dynamics of international cricket in South Asia.
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