ICC Champions Trophy 2025: 'Will miss playing in India' - Fakhar Zaman fumes at PCB

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has an old connection with the Champions Trophy. The left-hander made his name in international cricket through this tournament's edition played in 2017 when he helped Pakistan win a historic title.

Eight years later, Zaman is back in the mix for the Champions Trophy, however, his place in the squad is still not confirmed. The Champions Trophy 2025 has faced many controversies which were mostly based around India's travel to Pakistan.

With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirming India not traveling to Pakistan for the tournament, Fakhar Zaman is disappointed but is also excited at the same time to face them in Dubai.

Also read: BCCI takes harsh step, fresh ban imposed on Indian cricketers

Fakhar Zaman speaks on India not traveling to Pakistan

While speaking to Sports Tak, Fakhar Zaman was asked about India's refusal to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. He claimed that the Indian team would have received an even grander welcome than what Pakistan received when they traveled to India for the ODI World Cup in 2023.

“If India had come to Pakistan, we would’ve given them an even grander welcome and hospitality but they are not coming. It's fine, but we’re excited to play against them in Dubai,” Fakhar said.

Pakistan travelled to India for the ODI World Cup in 2023 when they played most of their matches in Hyderabad. Out of all the venues, Pakistan played only in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata.

They had a disappointing tournament and finished fifth in the points table. They even lost to Afghanistan in what turned out to be a shocking result. As a result, the Men in Green failed to qualify for the semi-finals.

We will miss playing in India - Fakhar Zaman

While speaking on the same platform, Fakhar Zaman admitted that he will miss playing on Indian soil as the team enjoyed a good time in the country during the World Cup 2023. He was also pleased with the kind of support that he received in India during the tournament.

“Yes, we will definitely miss (playing in India) as we enjoyed a lot during our visit there for the ODI World Cup 2023. We were delighted with the kind of support and the hospitality we got there,” Zaman added.

According to the latest agreement between the ICC, BCCI, and PCB, India and Pakistan will not be required to travel to each other's country for the ICC events for the current cycle. While the other teams will play their matches in the host nation, India and Pakistan will play their matches through a hybrid model in any other country.

Fakhar Zaman to be selected in Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad?

India and Pakistan are the only two teams in the Champions Trophy not to have announced their final squads so far. Pakistan is believed to have submitted its preliminary squad but will trim down the squad to 15 players by February 10.

Fakhar Zaman is in line to be selected for the Champions Trophy despite not having played an ODI since the ODI World Cup 2023. Zaman was earlier dropped from Pakistan's ODI squad for Australia tour after he had criticized the PCB's decision to drop Babar Azam.

Pakistan will open their campaign against New Zealand on February 19 at Karachi. The Men in Green will then face arch-rivals India in Dubai on February 23. They will face Bangladesh in their final group match on February 27 at Rawalpindi.