ICC Champions Trophy 2025: "If India don't visit Pakistan"- Threat issued before the tournament

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has insisted that India should make the trip to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, the Indian team remains reluctant to travel to Pakistan, citing players’ safety concerns in the neighboring country for the high-stakes event.

In his emphatic plea, Zaheer Abbas warned that India’s decision to pull out of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 could cast a shadow over the spirit of international cricket.

Zaheer Abbas urges India to visit Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

The legendary cricketer mentioned that the rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most captivating spectacles in the sports world, with fans around the world tuning in whenever the two titans clash.

Without India’s participation, Zaheer Abbas is worried that the Champions Trophy 2025 may lose its spark, saying nothing electrifies the cricketing world like the India vs Pakistan match. India and Pakistan meet only in the multi-nation events due to the tense diplomatic relations between the two countries.

However, Pakistan visited India for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 despite the Men in Blue didn’t make the visit to the country for the Asia Cup last year, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had to stage the tournament in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka hosting India’s matches.

If they don't want to come, I mean it's no good for cricket: Zaheer Abbas

However, this time also, the BCCI is reportedly asking for the same facility for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, but the PCB is not ready as this is the biggest event Pakistan is hosting after more than a decade, and they have almost completed the preparations for the mega event.

Zaheer Abbas was quoted as saying by Sports Tak: “I'm so sorry. But if they don't want to come, I mean it's no good for cricket. Because if India and Pakistan are playing nothing like it, then the world is watching all over the world because cricket is really a big thing over these two countries. Okay. Very, very big, and the whole world is watching all over the world wherever the Indians and Pakistanis are, and they must be watching this series.”

Rajiv Shukla reaffirms no decision yet on India’s Pakistan tour for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Meanwhile, BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla has recently reiterated the board’s previous stance on visiting Pakistan. He claimed that no official decision has been reached yet on sending the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Furthermore, Shukla clarified that the BCCI always seeks Indian government approval before any international tours and will act under the government’s guidance. He also noted that the ICC has not given the BCCI any deadline to decide on Pakistan's visit.

Rajiv Shukla had said in Kanpur recently: “No decision has been taken on it. But our policy is that for international tours, we always seek permission from the government. It’s up to the government to decide whether or not our team should go to any country. Whatever the government decides, we will abide by it. The ICC has not given the BCCI any deadline to make a decision on India's stance regarding visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.”