Former England captain Michael Vaughan does not see any light at the end of the tunnel, and he had no qualms in predicting that the cricketing relations between India and Pakistan are going to get “worse” moving ahead. Michael Vaughan‘s comments come amidst the ongoing stand-off between the two countries and cricket boards, regarding the upcoming Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in 2025.
India’s refusal to play in the ICC Champions Trophy 2024 in Pakistan has shocked the entire sporting world. Amidst this stalemate, England’s Michael Vaughan voiced his opinion on the issue while suggesting a move to revive the bilateral Test series.
India refused to travel to Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board has been put in a tricky position once again by the BCCI after they told the ICC that India won’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year. The PCB has already started preparations for the mega ICC event, as the stadium’s renovation began months ago, but now speculations are rife that the tournament will be held in a hybrid model.
As per several reports, Pakistan are not ready to accept the hybrid model, and want to conduct the entire tournament in Pakistan. There are some reports which also state that if Pakistan don’t accept the hybrid model, then the entire tournament can go ahead in South Africa. Taking note of these ongoing developments, Micheal Vaughan predicted a bleak scenario, when it comes to India-Pakistan cricket.
Michael Vaughan opens up on 2025 Champions Trophy fiasco
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the India-Pakistan relationship will only get worse amidst the recent 2025 Champions Trophy scheduling fiasco. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed to the ICC that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan, where the tournament is scheduled to be played, citing security reasons.
Yet, recent reports suggest Pakistan is unwilling to accept a hybrid model and wants to host the entire Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now seeking advice from their government on the way forward.
Speaking about the ongoing debacle on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast, Michael Vaughan said as quoted by Hindustan Times:
“India have obviously announced that they would not be playing in Pakistan, looks like they’re going to play in Dubai. I do think by India not going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, I think that relationship now could be an off-image, it has not been great for a long time and I think it is going to get worse. Potentially we might not see India play Pakistan for a long long time.”
There was a similar scheduling issue between India and Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup that was set to be played in Pakistan. However, the former won out on that occasion with the tournament being played in a hybrid model and India playing their games in Sri Lanka.
“If you can’t play it on your own backyard, play it here in Australia, we’ll host it in the UK” – Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan talked about several cricket lovers around the world wanting India-Pakistan Tests and even wished the sides would play each other in Australia or England.
India last played an international match in Pakistan in the 2008 Asia Cup and the two teams haven’t met in a Test match since Pakistan’s 2007/08 tour of India.
“It is the one thing I would really love to see in Test match cricket. India vs Pakistan, if you can’t play it on your own backyard, play it here in Australia, we’ll host it in the UK. There are so many supporters in the world that idolizes India and Pakistan, that series would be a huge success, wherever you play. Its sad that India would not be going to Pakistan, it is going to affect the game,” said Vaughan.
India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series when Pakistan toured India for two T20Is and three ODIs in 2012-13. The two teams recently met in the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York with India coming out on top by six runs.