The ICC Champions Trophy is 6 months away and the question still looms over India’s participation as Pakistan happens to be the hosting country. The Indian Cricket team hasn’t travelled to the neighbourhood for over a decade now due to security reasons. As Pakistan gear up to host the ICC event next year in February, the Indian government will likely change it’s stand on sending the team there.
Probably the global cricket body will come up with a Hybrid Model to conduct the tournament with India playing their matches at a neutral venue. While the BCCI hasn’t made an official decision, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that Team India won’t travel to Pakistan for the tournament due to security reasons.
“What they say is what they think is right while what we say is our point of view. I feel the security concerns are always there and if the security of the players is not ensured there then I don’t think that the team should go there,” Harbhajan told Sports Tak.
The former India cricketer further stated that if Pakistan ensures full security to the Indian players in the country, it would still be up to the central government of India to take the final call.
“If they say that the teams will get full security and there is no hassle then it’s on the government to think and make decisions because, in the end, it’s not just about cricketing matters and the issue goes beyond. As a cricketer, I can say if you wish to play cricket, play cricket but the security concern is always there and players should not go there until the security is guaranteed,” he added.
Several media reports have claimed that ICC has already chalked out a Plan B if India don’t travel to Pakistan. The global body has reportedly sanctioned a budget of around 65 million dollars, to cover expenses of hosting matches in locations other than Pakistan.
Team India last travelled to Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup, and Pakistan last played in India in 2023 for the ODI World Cup.
Comments
0 comment