(Source X)
Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian captain, has voiced his support for the BCCI’s decision not to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan between February and March next year, has been met with controversy due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
The strained political relations between India and Pakistan have long impacted cricketing ties, with the two teams not engaging in bilateral series for over a decade. Their encounters have been limited to Asia Cups and ICC tournaments, despite various attempts to normalize relations, none of which have succeeded.
Recent reports indicate that the BCCI is reluctant to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing the need for clearance from the Indian government. The government has expressed strong reservations, influenced by ongoing concerns over the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
In a recent interview with IANS, Harbhajan Singh, former cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP, endorsed the BCCI’s position. He highlighted concerns about the security of Indian players in Pakistan, noting the country’s unstable conditions, which he believes pose a significant risk to the players.
“Why should the Indian team go to Pakistan? The security issue there is significant. The situation in Pakistan is such that incidents occur almost every day. I don’t think it’s safe to go there. The stance of the BCCI is absolutely correct, and nothing is more important than the safety of our players” Harbhajan said to IANS.
Harbhajan Singh further emphasized that frequent security breaches in Pakistan raise significant concerns. Given the ongoing tensions, he believes it is in the best interest of the Indian team to avoid traveling to Pakistan under such circumstances.
Despite this, Pakistan has committed to implementing extensive security measures to ensure the safety of the Indian players. The matches are planned to be held exclusively in Lahore, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) preparing to construct a secure hotel near the stadium. This arrangement aims to simplify and strengthen security protocols for the visiting team.
It’s worth noting that India had previously declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup last year, resulting in the tournament being relocated to Sri Lanka.
In response to Harbhajan Singh’s remarks, former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to voice his disagreement.
He criticized Harbhajan for his stance, questioning why the former spinner would prefer Indian players not to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 while meeting them during other tournaments. Ahmed also pointedly remarked on the internal issues within India, suggesting that Harbhajan should be aware of those problems as well.
Harbhajan Singh Faces Wrath Of Former Pakistan Cricketer Tanvir Ahmed
“Abey @harbhajan_singh doghley insan ager to bolta ha india ko pakistan nahi jana chahiye tou doghley insan ghatiya insan phir pakistani players say tou kyn milta ha humain bhi pata ha ghatiya insan tere mulk main kia hota hai” he wrote in Hindi.
Recent reports indicate that PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi has reached out to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to ascertain India’s position on participating in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The PCB is currently awaiting a definitive response from India.
The BCCI has reiterated that any decisions regarding cricket matches in Pakistan are contingent upon government approval. Should the Indian team withdraw from the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka, which finished 9th in the 2023 ODI World Cup standings, will be promoted to take their place.
