Veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik of Pakistan has pushed team India to take part in the Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place in his home country. In an interview, he stated that politics had no place in sports, regardless of India-Pakistan bilateral disputes.
While speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Shoaib said, “Whatever reservations there are between the countries, that’s a separate issue and should be solved separately. Politics shouldn’t come into sports. The Pakistan team went to India last year, and now it’s a good opportunity for the Indian team who haven’t played in Pakistan, so it would be great for them.”
He further mentioned, “Hum bahut acche log hai (we are good people). We’re very hospitable people, so I am sure the Indian team should definitely come.”
Harbhajan Singh, a former spinner for India, stated that because to the unstable security conditions in Pakistan, Team India should not cross the border to compete in the ICC Champions Trophy the next year.
Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen to confirm their participation in the competition only after obtaining permission from the government for the visit. The Blue team’s refusal to travel to Pakistan at the Asia Cup last year resulted in India’s matches being held in Sri Lanka.
It is important to note that since 2012, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series, with the Indian government restricting their cricket matches to ICC or ACC competitions.