Shahid Afridi has expressed disappointment over the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) reluctance to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The BCCI, citing security concerns, prefers a hybrid model where India would play all its matches at neutral venues rather than traveling to Pakistan.
The last time India played a cricket series in Pakistan was during the 2008 Asia Cup. This is not the first instance of India's reluctance to tour Pakistan for a cricket event.
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In 2003, Pakistan, the host of that year's Asia Cup, had to stage only four matches of the tournament on home soil, with the remaining nine matches, including the semi-final and final, taking place in Sri Lanka. A hybrid model was used, with India playing all its matches in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a media interaction, Shahid Afridi highlighted that Pakistan had toured India multiple times despite facing security threats.
"Hum itni baar india gaye hai. Mushkil halat mein gaye. Humein dhamkiya bhi milti rahi, fir bhi hum india ke tour karte rahe. Aapki niyat se pata chal gya. Humne india ko support kiya hai (We have gone to India many times. We went there in tough times. Despite getting threats we continued to go on India tours. We got to know about their intentions. We have always supported India)," Afridi told reporters.
"Humko threat milte rahe but Pakistan Cricket Board and government ne initiative liya hai. Agar indian cricket board ki niyat hai Pakistan ke sath chalne ki toh aajayega. Agar nahi hai, toh nahi aayenge fir security ko bahane bana dege (Even after threats Pakistan Cricket Board and the government took an initiative. If India has the intention to come to Pakistan, they will come. Otherwise, they will make an excuse of security)," he added.
More to follow...