India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to strained bilateral ties.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has called for the Indian cricket team to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, arguing that politics and sports should not be intertwined. His remarks come amidst ongoing uncertainty over India's participation in the tournament, which is scheduled to begin in February 2025.
India-Pakistan Cricket Relations: A Longstanding Stalemate
India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to strained bilateral ties. The two countries last played a bilateral series in India in 2012-13, with recent encounters limited to ICC events and Asia Cups.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reiterated that any decision about traveling to Pakistan will be based on the Indian government’s directives.
Tejashwi’s Criticism and the ‘Biryani’ Remark
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Tejashwi Yadav criticized the politicization of sports and compared the situation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Pakistan in 2015. "Involving politics in sports is not a good thing. Doesn’t everyone participate in the Olympics? Why shouldn’t India go to Pakistan? If the PM can go there to have biryani, why can’t the Indian cricket team travel for a tournament?" Tejashwi remarked, as quoted by ANI.
ICC Champions Trophy: Key Decisions Awaited
The ICC Champions Trophy is slated to take place from February 19 to March 2025, though the official schedule is yet to be finalized. The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board is expected to address India’s participation and the tournament’s hosting format during a crucial meeting on Friday.
Two potential hosting models are under discussion:
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Full Hosting Rights to Pakistan
The entire tournament could be held in Pakistan, as initially planned. -
Hybrid Model
Some matches could be moved to a neutral venue, such as the UAE or Sri Lanka, to accommodate India’s concerns.Advertisement
India’s Firm Stance
The BCCI, led by vice president Rajeev Shukla, has maintained that the board will adhere to government guidelines regarding any decision to travel to Pakistan.
With the ICC Champions Trophy being one of cricket’s marquee events, the stakes are high, and the ICC's decision will significantly impact not just the tournament’s logistics but also the broader dynamics of international cricket.
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