Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt comments on India’s visit to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan is the host nation for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy event.
The upcoming 2025 ICC Champions trophy event hosted by the defending champions, Pakistan, puts India’s visit to the nation doubtful. It’s important to mention that India’s last visit to the neighboring country was in 2008 for the Asia Cup. Moreover, India denied visiting Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup. Therefore, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had to follow the hybrid model. Later, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were joint hosts for the event.
“IF THEY COME THEY ARE WELCOME”- SALMAN BUTT
Salman Butt believes that all the participating nations should visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Moreover, the former cricketer commented strongly on India’s hesitance to visit the country. He added that India is welcome, and if they choose not to come, then ICC has to deal with it. The Pakistani veteran also highlighted the ICC’s role as a regulator and the necessity of maintaining neutrality. Pakistan Veteran, Salman Butt on his YouTube Channel said,
“If they come, then they welcome, if they don’t, the ICC has to deal with it. We will find out if they can just deal with all the other countries or can do the same with India as well. It will show how much authority they have as a regulator and how neutral they can be,”
Furthermore, Salman Butt commented on BCCI’S secretary Jay Shah’s confirmation on India’s participation in the event. While reports are suggesting that Jay Shah has given a positive signal regarding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025, Salman Butt feels there have been no clear signals communicated. He also said that if there had been any signal from him, Pakistan shouldn’t be excited about it. This is because the former cricketer believes that it is the ICC’s responsibility to ensure all teams honor their commitments to visit Pakistan. He added,
“We try sensationalizing everything. There have been a few reports suggesting that Jay Shah has given a positive signal. However, I don’t think he’s given any signals. I wouldn’t have been excited even if there had been a signal from him because it is the ICC’s duty to ensure that all teams visit Pakistan,”
“PAKISTAN SHOULD NOT BE WORRIED WHO IS COMING”
Furthermore, Salman Butt emphasized Pakistan’s visit to India for the 2023 World Cup last year held in India. The former cricketer talked about discussions surrounding Pakistan’s participation and the need for confirmation from India about the Champions Trophy. In response, the Indian media responded by saying it was an ICC event. He added that, consequently, it is essential for us to adhere to the norms. Salman Butt, further added that Pakistan Should not worry on who is coming and who is not. He added,
“When the World Cup was in India last year, it was said that Pakistan wouldn’t go unless there was confirmation from India about the Champions Trophy. The Indian media responded by saying that it was an ICC event. So I think we should also stick to that. I don’t think we should be worried about anything,” Salman Butt further added that,
“Pakistan should not be worried about who is coming and who is not. They should be concerned about making the event a success and providing good venues, hotels and security. There are no problems with these things, that is why teams have been visiting Pakistan in the last couple of years. So, if India decide anything else, it is for the ICC to counter, not for us,”
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