There is a lot of speculation around Team India’s participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, slated to be held in Pakistan early next year.
The cricket boards of both nations have stayed mum on this matter, but rumours are rife that the Men in Blue won't be travelling to Pakistan for the marquee event.
It is also reported that the BCCI has requested the ICC to either change the venue for the competition or schedule India's matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, pacer Hassan Ali has said that if the Champions Trophy is set to be held in Pakistan, it will indeed take place there and the tournament could go on without India.
"If we're going there (to India) to play, then they should come to Pakistan too. A lot of people have said countless times that sports should stay away from politics. But if you look at it from another angle, many Indian players have said in interviews that they want to play in Pakistan. So it doesn't mean that the team doesn't want to come; they definitely do. But obviously, they have their own policies, country, and board to consider," Hassan said.
He added: "As our chairman has already said, if the Champions Trophy is going to be held in Pakistan, then it will be in Pakistan. If India don't want to come, we'll play without them. Cricket should be played in Pakistan, and if India don't want to participate, it doesn't mean cricket has ended. There are many other teams besides India."
The 2023 edition of Asia Cup, which was supposed to take place in Pakistan entirely, was played in a hybrid model with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka as the BJP government refused to permit the players' travel across the border.
In the scenario of hybrid model getting adopted for the Champions Trophy, there’s a chance that one of the semi-finals and the final could also be taken away from Pakistan.
As per the drafted schedule, Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9. Apart from the host nation, India, Australia, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Afghanistan are the eligible teams for the competition.
According to reports, India have been slotted with Pakistani in Group A, also featuring Bangladesh and New Zealand. Group B comprises Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan.
The eight-nation tournament will mark a major cricket event in Pakistan as the country last co-hosted the World Cup with India and Sri Lanka in 1996.
