(Source X)

Tanvir Ahmed, former Pakistani cricketer, has weighed in on the recent remarks made by Harbhajan Singh regarding the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Harbhajan Singh had expressed support for the BCCI’s decision not to send Indian players to Pakistan for the tournament, citing the longstanding bilateral cricketing hiatus between the two nations since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. 

Ahmed, speaking on the matter, acknowledged the sensitive geopolitical context influencing the decision, as the BCCI adheres to governmental directives in matters concerning cricketing relations with Pakistan.

In a recent discussion with IANS, Harbhajan Singh expressed his backing for the BCCI’s decision to refrain from sending Indian players to participate in the tournament. Singh emphasized that Pakistan’s ongoing political instability poses significant security concerns for Indian players. 

He highlighted the country’s volatile nature as a consistent factor contributing to these concerns, reinforcing the BCCI’s stance on prioritizing player safety amidst uncertain geopolitical conditions.

Former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed has injected more fervor into the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry by responding to Harbhajan’s recent comments on the potential hosting of the Champions Trophy 2025. 

Speaking via his official X handle, Ahmed issued a direct challenge to the Indian team, urging them to travel to Pakistan and participate in the tournament. He reassured that the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) would ensure all necessary security measures for the safety of the Indian players.

Aake Dikha: Tanvir Ahmed challenges India to play Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.

“Sher hai hum log sher hai, hum log sher hai. Hum log tere mulk me aa ke khel ke gaye hai. Aake dikha….Hum toh kah rahe hai aake khelo. Security denge, sab kuch denge tum logon ko. Aa toh sahi ek dafaa [We are lions, we are lions. We came and played cricket in your country. Come here and show… We are inviting you to come and play. We will provide security, we will give you everything. Just come once]” he said. 

In a video statement, Tanvir Ahmed emphasized Pakistan’s consistent participation in multi-team tournaments hosted in various countries, highlighting their unwavering commitment to traveling for such events. He pointed out that Pakistan has always honored these commitments, regardless of the outcomes, and cited the recent ICC World Cup 2023 as an example where Pakistan participated in India without hesitation.

“Yeh sirf Pakistan ke playeron ka kaam hai, bhai. Sirf Pakistan ke player aate hai aur khelke chale jaate hai. Chahe jeete, chahe haare, jis tarah ki cricket khele. Woh India jaake khelke wapas aaye the. Isko kahte hai ek daler team aur daler players [It’s only the Pakistan players who do this. Only Pakistani players come and play and go back, regardless of winning or losing, and no matter how they play. They went to India and returned after playing there. This is what you call a brave team and brave players]” he said further.

The 2023 Asia Cup tournament adopted a hybrid model, yet Pakistan participated by traveling to India for the ODI World Cup 2023. Looking ahead, reports suggest that India will host the Men’s Asia Cup 2025. If the BCCI ultimately decides not to send their team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, it raises the intriguing question of whether the PCB will reciprocate by sending their team to India for the Asia Cup.