Former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammad Hafeez did not hold back on social media when he commented on India’s refusal to play in Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, calling it a “daydream” to expect India to travel for the tournament.
Using his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Hafeez voiced his views, underscoring that Pakistan has proven itself as a safe and capable host for international cricket.
Mohammad Hafeez highlighted that Pakistan has hosted numerous international teams recently, demonstrating that it’s fully prepared to host high-profile events like the Champions Trophy.
He also urged for a strong, decisive stance from the Pakistani government and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in response to India’s position.
This reaction from Hafeez comes shortly after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India will not travel to Pakistan for the event. The ICC has since formally relayed India’s decision to Pakistan with PCB considering its options in response.
Unlike the previous instances, PCB has confirmed that the board will not entertain any other ideas and may be forced to take drastic actions if ICC forces the shift to a new venue. The actions could include Pakistan not sending a team to India in any future ICC events be it men’s or women’s cricket.
India is set to host the women’s World Cup next year while it will also host the next men’s T20 World Cup with Pakistan’s participation also up in the air if the matter is not resolved.
The issue is likely to drag on despite the tournament being just a few months away. The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to run from February 19 to March 9, is set to host eight teams in Pakistan, with fans eagerly hoping the tournament proceeds smoothly amid these diplomatic tensions.
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