Shoaib Malik Urges India to Tour Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

July 26, 2024 0 690

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik urged the Indian men’s cricket team to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, emphasizing that sports should be separate from politics.

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has called for the Indian men’s cricket team to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Scheduled to begin on February 19, the tournament faces uncertainty as India has not visited Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to political tensions. Conversely, Pakistan has only visited India four times in the last 16 years, mostly for ICC events.

Amidst speculations that the tournament might be relocated or played in a hybrid format, Malik emphasized that sports and politics should remain separate. He noted that Pakistan toured India last year, making it an ideal opportunity for Indian players, many of whom have never played in Pakistan, to experience the country’s hospitality.

“Whatever reservations there are between the countries, that’s a separate issue and should be solved separately. Politics shouldn’t come into sports. The Pakistan team went to India last year, and now it’s a good opportunity for the Indian team too. I think there are many players in the Indian team who haven’t played in Pakistan, so it would be great for them,” Malik said to Cricket Pakistan.

“Hum bahut acche log hai (we are good people). We’re very hospitable people, so I’m sure the Indian team should definitely come,” he added.

In other news, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh emphasized the importance of player safety, supporting the BCCI’s decision not to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Citing frequent incidents in Pakistan, he argued that there is no obligation for the team to travel.

“Why should the Indian team go to Pakistan? There is a safety concern in Pakistan. The situation in Pakistan is such that incidents occur almost every day. I don’t think it’s safe (for the team) to go there. The stance of the BCCI is absolutely correct, and nothing is more important than the safety of our players. I support BCCI’s stand,” Harbhajan told IANS.