Basit Ali, a former cricketer from Pakistan, has requested the authorities of his country to refrain from participating in the Champions Trophy the country is likely to host in 2025 if it is held in another country. His statement comes in the light of certain tensions between India and Pakistan which have made the former reluctant to play the tournament in the latter. This will be the second consecutive time the Pakistan is to host the Champions Trophy after it was last staged in 1996. However, as it stands now, the tournament will most likely be conducted in a hybrid model.
Ali, who has turned into an analyst now, believed that the PCB should remain firm on its stance in hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan. Additionally, he also believes that under such circumstances, the Pakistan team should not play in the Champions Trophy. According to several sources, there is a possibility of the tournament being rescheduled due to India’s non-availability and being hosted in the UAE, Sri Lanka or South Africa.
“Pakistan should play all their matches in Pakistan. It is as simple as that. If they cannot keep the Championship Trophy and bring it to another country then Pakistan should not take part. And people are saying that the ICC will suspend Pakistan because they won’t play. Give it a try. It is brave though. There will be none of you sleeping today,” he the video post on a YouTube channel.
By referencing the 1996 ODI World Cup where both Australia and West Indies were docked two points for not playing in Sri Lanka, Basit believes the same should apply to India if the latter refuses to play in the former for the Champions Trophy.
“Do you recall how much Sri Lanka earned 2-2 points in the World Cup of 1996 after the West Indies and Australia failed to progress? Try separating India and Pakistan in different groups; the ICC won’t allow it. It has always been the case, Pak-India matches are held in order to fill their pockets. If a hybrid model is there however India does not come to Pakistan then award two points to Pakistan. It has happened before so do it this time as well,” he said before dismissing.’
India hasn’t travelled to Pakistan following July 2008 while Men in Green have been able to tour India four times in the previous sixteen years to play one bilateral series (2012-13) and three ICC events (2011, 2016, 2023