WATCH- "If our players are not safe..”- Harbhajan Singh says India will not go to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

India has not toured Pakistan for any cricket since 2008 Asia Cup.

By Jatin Sharma - 14 Jul, 2024

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was venting his anger during a TV show chat with some Pakistani ex-cricketers when the discussion of whether India will tour Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 was taking place.

Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March and has reportedly designated Lahore as the location for all of India's matches to make travel easier for the team and fans. The competition's fixtures, slated to run from February 19 to March 9, will be revealed later.

However, the BCCI has yet to confirm Team India’s participation in the tournament. India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to political tensions between the two countries.

The last edition of the tournament was played in 2017, where Pakistan emerged as the champions with a win over arch-rivals India in the final at The Oval in London.

Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year, but India, who went on to win the trophy, played all of their matches in Sri Lanka under a 'hybrid model'.

Earlier this week, ANI reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will request that the International Cricket Council (ICC) use a hybrid model for the event, with matches held in either Dubai or Sri Lanka.

Amidst this, Harbhajan Singh appearing on a TV show, said that if Indian players are not safe in Pakistan, then they will not tour the country for the Champions Trophy.

"If our players are not safe in Pakistan, we won't send the team. If you want to play, play; if not, then don't. Indian cricket can still survive without Pakistan. If you guys can survive without Indian cricket, do it," said Harbhajan.

 

By Jatin Sharma - 14 Jul, 2024

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