"Doglay Ghatiya Insan, Pakistan players se kyo milta hai"- Tanvir Ahmed abuses Harbhajan Singh over ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian skipper has backed BCCI's stance on not sending its team to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan is the host of the tournament to be played between February and March next year.

The political relations between India and Pakistan over the years have also affected its relations in cricket. They have stopped playing in bilateral tournaments for over a decade now and only play against each other in Asia Cups and ICC tournaments. Many attempts have been made to resolve this matter but none has worked out so far.

As per recent reports, the BCCI is unwilling to send its team to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy. The BCI said that they are awaiting a green signal from their government. Meanwhile, the government is bent down on not sending the team to Pakistan as they still condemn the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

Harbhajan Singh, former cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP recently spoke to IANS supporting BCCI's stance on not sending the team to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy. He said that there are security issues for Indian players in Pakistan and the unstable nature of the country regularly adds to the threat to the players.

IANS Exclusive

Delhi: On India going to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy, former cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh says, "Why should the Indian team go to Pakistan? The security issue there is significant. The situation in Pakistan is such that… pic.twitter.com/29qeXMuiEW

— IANS (@ians_india) July 25, 2024

"Why should the Indian team go to Pakistan? The security issue there is significant. The situation in Pakistan is such that incidents occur almost every day. I don't think it's safe to go there. The stance of the BCCI is absolutely correct, and nothing is more important than the safety of our players" Harbhajan said to IANS.

Harbhajan also added that everyday security breaches are reported in the neighboring country, and hence, under tense circumstances, it's in the best interest of the Indian team to avoid stepping foot in Pakistan.

However, Pakistan have ensured that they would take all safety measures to ensure the safety and security of Indian players. India will reportedly play all their matches in Lahore and the PCB is ready to build a hotel close to the ground will full-proof security. It also stated that being in one city would make it easier to provide foolproof security to the visiting side.

The Indian team had previously refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup last year, which led to India's matches being held in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed responded to Harbhajan's comments on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

He slammed the former spinner for his comments saying if he wants the Indian players not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 then why does he meet them in other tournaments? He further criticized saying that he also knows the internal problems that go on within the country of India.

Harbhajan Singh Faces Wrath Of Former Pakistan Cricketer Tanvir Ahmed

Abey @harbhajan_singh doghley insan ager to bolta ha india ko pakistan nahi jana chahiye tou doghley insan ghatiya insan phir pakistani players say tou kyn milta ha humain bhi pata ha ghatiya insan tere mulk main kia hota ha

— Tanveer Says (@ImTanveerA) July 25, 2024

"Abey @harbhajan_singh doghley insan ager to bolta ha india ko pakistan nahi jana chahiye tou doghley insan ghatiya insan phir pakistani players say tou kyn milta ha humain bhi pata ha ghatiya insan tere mulk main kia hota hai" he wrote in Hindi.

As per recent reports, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi has been in touch with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to know India's stance on playing in Pakistan. PCB awaits the final decision from India.

The BCCI has consistently maintained that decisions regarding playing cricket in Pakistan are subject to government approval If the Indian team does pull out of the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka will go through in their place, having finished 9th in the 2023 ODI World Cup standings.