New Delhi: India are unlikely to travel to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy, says former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Khalid Mahmood.
The tournament is scheduled to be held in its entirety in Pakistan February 19 to March 9 but India are yet to confirm their trip.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has always maintained that they would only travel if they get permission from the Union government.
But so far no official conformation has arrived from either the government or the BCCI.
“They are very very slim chances they will agree to play in Pakistan,” Mahmood said, as quoted by PTI.
Pakistan are keen to host the entire tournament on their land but in case India don’t show up then a hybrid model could be pursued with matches in either Dubai or Sri Lanka.
Last year several Asia Cup matches were held in Sri Lanka as India refused to go to Pakistan.
Retired bureaucrat Mahmood said in case India refuse to reach Pakistan, then neither PCB nor the International Cricket Council will profit from the tournament.
“India is the richest cricket board and carries a lot of clout. If they don’t send their team to Pakistan I foresee even countries like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh following their path,” he added.
“This would basically reduce the Champions Trophy into a venture where revenues will take a hit, expenses will grow and profits would fall.”
Mahmood also advised the PCB from taking a retaliatory measure of not sending the team to India in 2026 T20 World Cup. Pakistan has threatened to take a similar stance before the 2023 ODI World Cup but then made the trip across the border.
“Look the thing is at this level you can only lobby and try to convince other boards to be on your side. India has too much clout in the ICC it would do no good for Pakistan to adopt a tit for tat strategy.
“Thing is when the BCCI says it can’t send its team and will play its matches outside Pakistan, it does reduce the purpose for Pakistan of hosting an ICC event,” he said.
The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in its entirety in Pakistan February 19 to March 9 but India are yet to confirm their trip Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
