The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be played in Pakistan in Feb-March.
Mohammad Hafeez, former Pakistan captain, has reacted after India confirmed its refusal to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to ICC. This was confirmed by PCB on Sunday.
India last visited Pakistan at the 2008 Asia Cup, and the two countries, who have tense diplomatic ties, have not played a bilateral cricket series in over a decade.
"The Pakistan Cricket Board has received an email from the ICC (International Cricket Council), stating that the Indian board has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB has forwarded that email to the government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance,” PCB spokesman Sami Ul Hasan said.
The precise timetable remained unclear because India's confirmation was still pending, but the eight-nation tournament was scheduled to take place in three cities in Pakistan: Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Hafeez, stated that Pakistan is safe and ready for Champions Trophy 2025. He also hoped that PCB would give a strong response to BCCI for refusing to send the Indian team to the tournament.
"It was a day dream that India will come to Pakistan to play #ChampionsTrophy2025. Pakistan is safe & ready to host the event. Pakistan hosting all cricket nations at home but somehow not secure for India. Waiting for strong & surprised response from government & PCB,” Hafeez posted on X.
India played their matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka at last year’s Asia Cup, as they refused to tour Pakistan and PCB used a hybrid model.
Expectations for a reciprocal Champions Trophy participation were raised by Pakistan's involvement in the ODI World Cup 2023 in India last year.