Shoaib Malik. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Shoaib Malik earnestly requested the Indian Cricket Team to visit Pakistan next year to participate in the impending ICC Champions Trophy in February. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hasn’t officially given the green signal, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly left it to the ICC to convince the Men in Blue to play in the marquee event.
Malik, a former Pakistan captain, opined that the political tension between the two countries shouldn’t adversely impact sports. He said that Pakistani people are very hospitable and India should make the trip to their neighbouring country to play in the global competition.
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“Whatever reservations there are between the countries, that’s a separate issue and should be solved separately. Politics shouldn’t come into sports. The Pakistan team went to India last year, and now it’s a good opportunity for the Indian team too. I think there are many players in the Indian team who haven’t played in Pakistan, so it would be great for them. Hum bahut acche log hai (we are good people). We’re very hospitable people, so I’m sure the Indian team should definitely come,” Malik told Cricket Pakistan.
According to reports, the topic of the Champions Trophy’s schedule and format wasn’t discussed in the recent annual conference of the ICC, held in Sri Lanka. As per the draft schedule, PCB have scheduled all of India’s matches in Lahore along with the semi-final and final, while the India vs Pakistan game will take place on March 1. Last year, Pakistan were set to host the Asia Cup exclusively but after BCCI refused to send their team to their neighbouring country, Sri Lanka joined in as co-hosts and India’s matches in the continental tournament were held in the Island Nation.
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With only six months remaining before the start of the Champions Trophy, time is of the essence for ICC as India’s participation hangs in the balance. It will be interesting to see how things transpire about this issue in the next few weeks.