Former PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood has expressed skepticism about India’s likelihood of visiting Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, despite Pakistan hosting rights for the tournament scheduled in February-March. With just months remaining, there remains uncertainty over India’s participation due to the strained bilateral relations between the two cricket boards, stemming from political tensions. Notably, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and bilateral series between them have been absent since the 2012-13 season, limiting their meetings to ICC events and the Asia Cup.
Khalid Mahmood, former PCB chairman, remains uncertain about whether India will make the trip to Pakistan next year. He expressed concerns that if India opts not to travel across the border, it could pose significant financial and logistical challenges for both the PCB and ICC. Mahmood also suggested that India’s decision not to visit Pakistan, especially for an ICC tournament, might set a precedent where other cricketing nations could potentially follow suit.
“They are very very slim chances they will agree to play in Pakistan,” Mahmood was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
“India is the richest cricket board and carries a lot of clout. If they don’t send their team to Pakistan I foresee even countries like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh following their path. This would basically reduce the Champions Trophy into a venture where revenues will take a hit, expenses will grow and profits would fall,” he added.
Khalid Mahmood’s advice for PCB:
Khalid Mahmood cautioned the PCB against adopting a retaliatory approach towards the BCCI, which is renowned as the wealthiest cricket body globally. He emphasized that the PCB’s focus should solely be on persuading the BCCI to agree to send the Indian team to Pakistan. Mahmood stressed that any tit-for-tat actions would be detrimental to the Pakistani board. Additionally, he pointed out that if India declines to visit Pakistan, it would diminish the significance of hosting an ICC trophy in the country.
“Look the thing is at this level you can only lobby and try to convince other boards to be on your side. India has too much clout in the ICC it would do no good for Pakistan to adopt a tit for tat strategy.
“Thing is when the BCCI says it can’t send its team and will play its matches outside Pakistan, it does reduce the purpose for Pakistan of hosting an ICC event,” said Mahmood.
The BCCI has not yet made its final decision public but has reaffirmed that it will abide by the instructions of the Indian government. They have stated clearly that without government clearance, sending the Indian team to Pakistan would not be feasible. Last year, during the Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan, India declined to visit, leading the ACC to devise an alternate plan. Consequently, India played all their matches in Sri Lanka under a modified arrangement. A comparable solution could be implemented for the upcoming Champions Trophy if India opts not to travel to Pakistan next year.
