NEW DELHI: The 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. India, Australia, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Afghanistan and hosts Pakistan will be taking part.
Amid the ongoing controversy over India’s participation in the tournament, legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram spoke about the importance of hosting such a major tournament for the “improvement of cricket” in the country.
“I hope India will come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The whole country is looking forward to welcoming all the teams. The cricket will be great and we will welcome them in a great way. We have great facilities and are working on building new stadiums. The chairman (of the Pakistan Cricket Board) has started construction of new stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad so I believe it will be a great tournament. Pakistan needs this tournament for the betterment of cricket. I hope all countries will come as cricket and politics should always be separate,” Akram said.
India has not visited Pakistan for a bilateral series since 2006. Due to tense relations between the two countries, the two sporting rivals have only faced each other in International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments since 2013. According to reports, the Indian team is still reluctant to tour the neighbouring country and the tournament may be played in a hybrid mode.
“Overall preparations are good and the whole country is looking forward to welcoming all the teams, dignitaries and media personnel. I hope you will see Pakistan’s fantastic preparations,” the former Pakistan captain added.
The 2023 Asia Cup was also scheduled to be held in Pakistan but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed that a part of the tournament, including all India’s matches, would be held in Sri Lanka after the central government refused to allow the Indian contingent to cross the border.
India and Pakistan have not had a bilateral tour since 2012 and have only played matches at ICC events. The Pakistan team visited India last year for the ODI World Cup. The BCCI has always maintained that the team will travel to Pakistan only if given permission by the central government.
