New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketers have expressed their relief after the 2025 Champions Trophy deadlock between the Board of Control of India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ended on December 20, Friday. After months of impasse, the International Cricket Council (ICC) reached a breakthrough after it was decided that India will play its matches of the eight-team mega-event at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan.
Similar to India’s arrangement, Pakistan will also play all ICC matches hosted by India at a neutral venue from 2024-2027.
With India standing firm on its decision to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns all the involved parties finally reached common ground on Thursday. Reacting to the news, ex-Pakistani players expressed their happiness and satisfaction.
Miandad hails PCB for ending impasse
Former captain Javed Miandad hailed the PCB for taking a sensible approach during the tough circumstances and added that the PCB gained more out of the situation than the BCCI. He also revealed that he had earlier hoped for India’s visit to Pakistan.
According to the agreed arrangement, the Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), 2025 Women’s World Cup in India and the T20 World Cup in 2026 in India and Sri Lanka both India and Pakistan will play at neutral venues.
Former captain Wasim Bari said that Pakistan is ready to welcome the players and fans while Moin Khan also seemed elated with the solution.
Meanwhile, ex-Pakistan spinner Iqbal Qasim hailed the Pakistan Cricket Board for finding a great solution and getting the ICC, and BCCI on the same page.
With the long deadlock finally ending, the schedule for the tournament is set to be announced soon. The ICC mega-event will return after seven years. Pakistan won the previous title in 2017 after edging past arch-rivals India in the final.
The eight-team CT tournament will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa, alongside host nation Pakistan.
Champions Trophy 2025: With the long deadlock finally ending, the schedule for the mega-tournament is set to be announced soon. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
