ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India's visit to Pakistan questioned again

Amidst the ongoing uncertainty surrounding India’s participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, Harbhajan Singh has raised concerns about the safety of Indian players.

With tensions high and the situation between the two nations far from stable, the former Indian spinner voiced his strong opinion by insisting that players’ safety must come before anything else.

While reports from Pakistan suggest India is already making preparations and they have already booked hotels for the Indian cricket team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India's reluctance to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns remains unsolved, at least presently.

Harbhajan Singh urges Indian players' safety first for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan

India already forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to host the 2023 Asia Cup in a hybrid model, and they are reportedly expecting a similar model for the upcoming prestigious tournament.

Well, Harbhajan emphasized the importance of player safety and reiterated that the final decision lies in the hands of the BCCI and the Indian government.

The former World Cup winner suggested that BCCI and the Indian government must consider the player’s safety while making any decision regarding the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, given the on-border Indo-Pak relations.

As Jay Shah is set to take over as the ICC chairman next month, the pressure is on the outgoing BCCI secretary regarding the big call.

While Pakistan seems confident that India will participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, citing logistical preparations, the BCCI already made it clear that it all depends on clearance from the government.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will not be held in Pakistan, claims Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh said on Sports Yaari, “This is a very big question. It has been going on for so many days. I had said this earlier as well. You take guarantee. The safety of our players is the priority. So, if they take a guarantee, there is no problem. And who am I to answer whether the players will go or not? I have an opinion. That they should not go.”

The turbanator further noted, “As long as there is a safety concern, they should not go. And to make this decision, there is BCCI. There is an Indian government. They have to take this decision. It is a big decision."

"And we can only share our opinion. Because I am a cricketer, I would like to see my fellow cricketers are safe. Wherever they go. Whether it is in Pakistan or anywhere in the world. Safety should be taken first; the rest is later.”

On being asked whether the Champions Trophy can happen in Pakistan, Harbhajan was not sure, as he said that there is a 70% chance that the mega event won't happen in Pakistan. He added, “The BCCI and the government have good relations. Then things can happen. But in the present scenario, I think it's 70-30.”

PAKISTAN KA DOWNFALL, CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY 2025 IN PAKISTAN? | HARBHAJAN SINGH EXCLUSIVE#pakistancricket #championstrophy2025 #BabarAzam #sportsyaari #harbhajansingh pic.twitter.com/Hmjp6XdItO

— Sports Yaari (@YaariSports) October 3, 2024

Speaking about Pakistan’s recent downfall across the format, Harbhajan said that there was a time when the Pakistan team was very big and there were many legends and big names.

Harbhajan added that the past teams made their name in the world of cricket, but their current situation is really sad. The former Indian spinner said that there is no level of the current Pakistan team.