Srinagar: Former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez has reacted to the India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.
“It was a day dream that India will come to Pakistan to play #ChampionsTrophy2025,” Hafeez posted on X.
The former all-rounder also criticised India’s concerns regarding their national men’s team security and expressed his anticipation for a ‘strong’ and ‘surprising’ response from the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“Pakistan is safe & ready to host the event. Pakistan hosting all cricket nations at home but somehow not secure for India. Waiting for strong & surprised response from government & PCB”.
Hafeez’s reacted in the backdrop of the reports suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it will not send its national men’s team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing the directives of the federal government.
Meanwhile, the PCB, is planning to take a strict action against India and will write a letter to the ICC to seek a written explanation from the BCCI regarding its decision.
Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad and Inzamam ul Haq have also reacted sharply to BCCI’s refusal.
“It is a joke that this is happening. Even if we don’t play India at all, Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper as well as we have shown in the past. I would like to see how the ICC events earn money when there are no Pakistan and India matches,” Miandad was quoted as saying by PTI.
“They are depriving cricket of such a big occasion. There is no threat to the Indian team in Pakistan. In fact, they would get the best hospitality here,” Inzamam was quoted as saying.
Rashid Latif, another former Pakistan captain, called India’s stance unacceptable. “Enough is enough. When all teams are playing in Pakistan without any problem, this decision by India is purely political, and that should be unacceptable in all sports, including cricket,” he said.
The tentative schedule was reportedly expected to be revealed today, November 11, without venues.