Win Projections to be updated soon
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairperson Mohsin Naqvi expressed confidence that India will participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan next year. Naqvi made these remarks during a press interaction in Lahore, emphasizing his belief that the tournament would go ahead as planned, with all teams, including India, expected to participate.
“Indian team mujhe puri umeed hai… Abhi tak koi aisi cheej nahi hai jiski wajeh se vo postpone karey ya cancel karey. Toh sari teams aayengi (I am fully hopeful that India will come to play the Champions Trophy, and so far, there’s no reason for the event to be postponed or canceled. All teams will come),” Naqvi assured the media.
Pakistan’s Long Wait to Host a Major ICC Event
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will mark the first major International Cricket Council (ICC) event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 ODI World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan was initially set to co-host the 2011 ODI World Cup, but the rights were revoked after a terrorist attack targeted the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009. The 2011 tournament was subsequently hosted by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Since then, Pakistan has struggled to secure a major ICC event on its home soil, largely due to security concerns. However, recent improvements in the country’s security situation have led to the gradual return of international cricket, and the Champions Trophy is seen as a significant milestone for Pakistan cricket.
Historical Context of India-Pakistan Cricket Relations
India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and cricketing ties between the two nations have remained strained due to political tensions. However, Pakistan has traveled to India on multiple occasions, including a bilateral series in late 2012, the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup, and the recent 2023 ODI World Cup, which was entirely hosted by India.
During the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan played matches in cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, while the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14.
Pakistan’s Current Cricketing Scenario
While preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy are underway, Pakistan is currently focused on their ongoing Test series against England. The first Test, taking place in Multan, saw Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bat first. This series is crucial for both teams as they vie for improved positions in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
England currently sits in fourth place, with eight wins, seven losses, and one draw, following series victories against West Indies and Sri Lanka. Pakistan, on the other hand, finds itself in eighth place after suffering a series loss to Bangladesh earlier this year.
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