"India always make lame excuses.."– Pakistan veteran tears apart team India before Champions Trophy 2025

Former Pakistan cricketer Mushtaq Mohammad has criticized the BCCI for refusing to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Mushtaq stated that the entire cricketing world wanted the Indian team to play in Pakistan and questioned the reasons behind their objection.

Pakistan hasn't hosted an ICC tournament since the 1996 World Cup due to security concerns. Cricket teams didn't travel to Pakistan from 2009 to 2019 after the attack on the Sri Lankan team near Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Teams like Australia and England have toured after cricket returned to Pakistan.

While seven teams have agreed to play in the country for the 2025 Champions Trophy, the BCCI has refused to send the Indian team. The International Cricket Council agreed to host the tournament in a hybrid model after a deadlock between the BCCI and PCB. India will play all their matches in Dubai.

Indian Cricket Team Should Have Come to Pakistan - Mushtaq Mohammad

Speaking to Geo News, Mushtaq Mohammad stated that Pakistan has been a great host. He also pointed out that Pakistan has never objected to touring India, yet India continues to make excuses to avoid playing in Pakistan.

"Indian cricket team should have come to Pakistan, the entire cricketing world wanted them to come to Pakistan. I can’t understand what their issue is," Mohammad stated.

"We have proven in the past that we are excellent hosts who always look after the visiting teams in the best possible manner. Pakistan always go to India without raising any objections but when it’s time for Indians to visit Pakistan they always make lame excuses to not come to Pakistan," he added.

Cricket Fans in Pakistan Will Be Deprived of Watching Indian Players - Mushtaq Mohammad

The 81-year-old believes that Pakistani fans deserve the chance to watch the Indian team play in their country. He stated that India's stance disappoints Pakistani fans, who have great admiration for Indian players.

"Their attitude is not good for the game of cricket especially for the cricket fans in Pakistan as they will be deprived of watching Indian players who’re without doubt among the best in the world in action in front of them. Indian team has a huge fan following in Pakistan and for them, it is very disheartening," Mushtaq Mohammad added.

India and Pakistan Set to Face Off in High-Stakes Clash on February 23

India and Pakistan are set to play each other in the Champions Trophy after being placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand. The highly anticipated encounter will take place on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Pakistan have the edge over India in Champions Trophy history, winning three of their five meetings. Their last encounter in the tournament was the 2017 final in England, where Pakistan dominated with a resounding 180-run victory.

The defending champions will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign with a match against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday, February 19. Meanwhile, India will take on Bangladesh in their first match in Dubai on February 20.

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