Picture Credit: X
Amid the ongoing concerns relating to Team India’s participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy, Pakistan all-rounder Hasan Ali has raised his voice. It is to be noted that the 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in February-March in Pakistan and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has left it to the Indian government to decide on India’s participation.
Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded for a written proof of Indian government’s denial on Team India’s travel to Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) along with the other key members are undergoing a meeting in Colombo on the possible outcomes.
Amidst this, Hasan Ali during an interview with Pakistan’s Samaa TV voiced his opinion that if Men in Green can travel to India, India should come for the Champions Trophy. “If we’re going there (to India) to play, then they should come to Pakistan too. A lot of people have said countless times that sports should stay away from politics. But if you look at it from another angle, many Indian players have said in interviews that they want to play in Pakistan. So it doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t want to come; they definitely do. But obviously, they have their own policies, country, and board to consider,” Hasan Ali said.
Watch Hasan Ali's take on India's uncertain participation in Champions Trophy
However, he asserted that if they do not travel, the tournament will take place without them and will not move out of Pakistan. “As our chairman has already said, if the Champions Trophy is going to be held in Pakistan, then it will be in Pakistan. If India don’t want to come, we’ll play without them. Cricket should be played in Pakistan, and if India don’t want to participate, it doesn’t mean cricket has ended. There are many other teams besides India,” he further added.
It is to be noted that India hasn’t played a bilateral series with Pakistan since 2012-13. However, India traveled to Pakistan during 2008 Asia Cup, the two neighbours have only locked horns in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup.
