Former cricketer Basit Ali discussed India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should adopt a stance similar to that of Sri Lanka during the World Cup 1996. The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in the February- March window in 2025, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain. Previously, reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), that the Team India will not be visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy citing security concerns. Additionally, on Sunday, sources confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) informed the PCB that the Indian government is not permitting their cricket team to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

The news of India’s refusal was not well received by many former cricketers in Pakistan, including Basit Ali. In a video on his official YouTube channel, the former batter advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to learn from the example set by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). For the unversed, World Cup 1996 was jointly hosted by Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, who went on to win the tournament. However, the tournament faced a controversy similar to that of Champions Trophy 2025 as Australia and the West Indies refused to travel to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. Sri Lanka ensured full-proof security to the teams but Australia and the West Indies remained adamant in their stance. As a result of a strong stance from both sides, the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded games against Australia and the West Indies to Sri Lanka on forfeit.

Sri Lanka earned valuable four points and qualified for the quarter-finals before playing a game. Basit Ali urged the PCB to take a similar stance and should not play against India at a neutral venue. He also suggested that in case of ICC shifting the tournament completely, Pakistan should boycott. “PCB should demand points if India refuses to play in Pakistan in case of a hybrid model, similar to the 1996 World Cup situation,” the former batter stated. “Pakistan should be awarded two points if India doesn’t come here to play.” “Pakistan, being the host, should play all their matches on home soil [in case of a hybrid model]. And if the host location changes, Pakistan should refuse to participate.”

Credit: Independent News Pakistan