Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah will now continue as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh said that his efforts will grow cricket to higher levels worldwide.
Jay Shah officially started the role of ICC Chairman on Sunday. Harbhajan said Shah will also continue his work at ICC that he did for BCCI.
During the inaugural ceremony of the World Tennis Cricket League in New Delhi on Monday, Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian spinner said that,
“Jay Shah will take cricket to a higher level globally and he is able to continue the great work he did (in BCCI) at the ICC too. Also, he can bring in smaller nations to participate more.”
Harbhajan Singh also expressed his concern that if Pakistan refuses to visit to India for the upcoming events, then it will not leave any impact on cricketing history.
He further said that PCB should keep their ego aside and should continue with the hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in February-March.
“If you think not coming to India will make a difference, you don’t have to come. It’s okay, you have the option. Host the tournament in a hybrid model; cricket fans are interested in watching the game,” Harbhajan said.
Harbhajan’s statement further emphasized about the unique nature of India-Pakistan matches, that are always rarely happened. So if any controversy happens, it should not effect the decisions about venues of matches.
“Let the match take place as scheduled,” he stated.
Harbhajan said that Champions Trophy to move forward without ego, proposing a hybrid model that allows matches to take place at neutral venues. This approach would ensure that cricket remains accessible to fans, “If you try to create disruptions in this, how will the tournament go ahead?” he questioned.
Harbhajan Singh often remained disputed because of his negative remarks against Pakistan, specifically about India’s refusal to visit Pakistan for Champions Trophy.
He reacted to Pakistan Cricket Board’s view point after India’s withdrawal by saying, “Do you think not coming to India will make any difference? It won’t. If you think not attending will impact the tournament in India, that’s your perspective. You have the choice not to come.”
He further added that the Indian team is willing to play in Dubai and Abu Dhabi if necessary, indicating that the Indian players are flexible about the venue.
“Ask all players, they would say they are ready to play in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. In any case, we don’t see too many Indo-Pak games as such, and Pakistan should keep their ego aside and agree to the ‘Hybrid Model’. There is a security concern (for India) and I have been saying this since 2022,” he said.
He also have friendships with Pakistani cricketers like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Mohammad Yousuf, but at the same time Harbhajan Singh is also known for his negative remarks against Pakistan, often to build his reputation in India.
