Saqlain Mushtaq, a former spinner for Pakistan, believes there is no need to raise a fuss over India’s intention to boycott Pakistan in 2025 for the Champions Trophy. Interestingly, Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy in February and March of 2025. However, given the tense political ties between the two nations, India is unlikely to visit the host nation to compete in the competition.
Between 1995 and 2004, Saqlain, a right-arm off-break bowler, represented Pak in 49 Test matches and 169 One Day Internationals (ODIs). In addition to taking 208 Test and 288 ODI wickets, he made a century in a Test match in March 2001 against New Zealand. Saqlain held the record for being the fastest bowler to 100 wickets in ODI cricket history until 2016.
India has not travelled to Pakistan for more than a decade now. The last time India played in Pakistan was in the 2000s. Pakistan last travelled to India in 2016 for the T20 World Cup.
Saqlain Mushtaq Has His Take On Pakistan’s Controversy As Host
Following widespread allegations that India would not be visiting the nation, a number of former Pak cricket players have asked the Asian Giants to visit their nation and participate in the tournament. In the midst of the dispute, Mushtaq believes there’s no need to raise a fuss because the International Cricket Council (ICC) will investigate the situation because it’s their event.
“It’s simple. If India wants to come, they can. If they don’t want to come, it doesn’t matter. There’s no point in making a fuss about it. This won’t make either party good or bad. This is ICC’s event, and they will look into this matter, as they should,” Mushtaq was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Interestingly, Pakistan was also set to host the Asia Cup in 2023. However, due to India’s unwillingness to visit the nation, the competition was eventually held using a hybrid format. Consequently, all of India’s games—including the championship—were slated to take place in Sri Lanka.
The PCB has left it up to the ICC to persuade India to visit Pakistan, according to a PTI Report, and there was no discussion at all on the host country for the Champions Trophy at the most recent ICC annual general meeting.
Mushtaq Backs Babar Azam To Continue To Lead Pakistan
Babar Azam, the captain of Twenty20 cricket team, was also backed by Mushtaq, who claimed that those calling for his resignation are outsiders. Notably, Pak was eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2024 in the first round and missed out on qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2023 semifinals both while Babar was captain.
“Many people are saying that he [Babar Azam] should quit captaincy and play as a regular player. But all these voices are coming from outside, from people who are watching and listening to things from the outside. These are comments from outsiders,” he added
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