"Problems Will Arise" - Shoaib Malik Urges PCB To Ensure Champions Trophy 2025 Is Held In Pakistan

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should take all possible steps to ensure that the players do not suffer from fatigue during the 2025 Champions Trophy.

The veteran batter was a part of the discussion panel on A Sports where former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq suggested that one of the reasons behind the team’s poor performance in the ongoing World Cup is fatigue. He stated that the exhausting traveling schedule during the Asia Cup had left the players tired.

The continental championship was originally scheduled to be played in Pakistan. However, Sri Lanka were later picked as a neutral venue after India refused to travel to Pakistan. As a result, the Pakistani players found themselves having to make multiple trips between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It could be one of the reasons why they started the tournament so well but their performance deteriorated with the passage of time.

Shoaib Malik’s advice for PCB:

There could be a chance that India might refuse to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will have to come up with a solution. And to avoid an Asia Cup-like situation that forced the Pakistan players to travel extensively, Shoaib Malik has advised the PCB to start preparing for the competition.

“Problems will arise, they should definitely keep that in mind. But first, it should be emphasized that whatever happens, the Champions Trophy will be in Pakistan. Whatever arrangements need to be made, they should start now or at least make an effort.

“But if that doesn’t happen and we have to go to the hybrid option, you need to have a B plan as well. That is very important. If that doesn’t work out either, you should have a C plan,” he added while stating the the PCB should ensure that the players manage to avoid fatigue

"We went from unplayable to toothless attack in a month due to fatigue"
Former captain #MisbahUlHaq terms 'travelling fatigue' a major factor for #Pakistan's struggling World Cup campaign.#ASportsHD #ARYZAP #CWC23 #ThePavilion #WasimAkram #ShoaibMalik #MoinKhan #FakhreAlam… pic.twitter.com/BsfnN8U20L

— ASports (@asportstvpk) November 10, 2023

Talking about the ongoing World Cup, Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semifinals are all but over. They need nothing less than a miracle to make it to the semifinals of an ODI World Cup for the first time since 2011.