"Don't think there's any reason for India to not visit Pakistan" PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi on ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in February-March.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 imbroglio continues to undergo more drama as more comments have been made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi following the confirmation that the Indian cricket team will not be travelling to Pakistan for the eight-team competition next year.

The BCCI informed that ICC that the Indian government had not given the permission to the cricket team to visit Pakistan amid the political tensions between the two countries. This was conveyed to the PCB by the ICC. The PCB then asked ICC for a written communication from the BCCI and the reason for their refusal to travel to Pakistan.

India have not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup for political and security concerns. On the other hand, however, in this period, Pakistan have visited India four times, thrice for ICC events and once for bilateral series.

I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy: PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is the first ICC event that Pakistan are slated to host since when they co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking at at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Monday, Naqvi said all the teams are “ready to come” and he has “positive expectations” about hosting the competition. The PCB chief said the BCCI must speak to the PCB if they have any concerns.

Naqvi said, “We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had. We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy.”

“At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason for them not to visit.”

The PCB is adamant about not agreeing for a hybrid model in which India’s matches and their knockouts would be slotted outside Pakistan.

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