Karachi: India is once again showing reluctance regarding participation in the Champions Trophy. The issue of the Indian team visit to Pakistan will be discussed in this month ICC annual general meeting.
According to details, international
cricket activities have fully resumed in Pakistan, with all small and large
teams having toured the country. Top sides are also ready to play here in the
upcoming season. However, India is not only unwilling to play bilateral cricket
with Pakistan but has also been avoiding coming here for any tournament.
Last year, India outright refused to
tour for the Asia Cup. To save the hosting rights, the PCB proposed a so-called
hybrid model, under which India played all their matches in Sri Lanka. Now,
India has started showing reluctance regarding participation in the Champions
Trophy as well. A few days ago, there were some positive signals from India,
but now the BCCI has once again started citing government permission as an
excuse.
Pakistan is set to host the
Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9 next year. The issue of the Indian
team participation might be raised in the ICC meeting. According to Indian
media reports, it is unlikely that the team will travel to Pakistan for the
showpiece event, not due to security concerns but because of the political
relations between the two countries.
The ICC annual general meeting will
be held in Sri Lanka this month, where preparations for the Champions Trophy
will be reviewed. The proposed schedule sent by Pakistan will also be discussed,
and the issue of India's participation in the tournament will be considered.
BCCI sources have declared it impossible for India to tour Pakistan for the
Champions Trophy, stating that the final decision will be made by the
government.
When asked if a hybrid model like
the Asia Cup could be implemented for the Champions Trophy, the response was
that this is an ICC event and they have no role in deciding the venues. They
added that they have not discussed this and will follow whatever decision the
government makes.
It is noteworthy that during the
recent T20 World Cup, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said that they want their team to
win the Champions Trophy and the ICC Test Championship. This indicated that the
Indian team would participate in the Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket
Board has already announced that all of India's matches will be held in Lahore.
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