It was in 2009 when Pakistan cricket suffered and the whole country was in chaos. Yes, that attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team which ruined everything for Pakistan and its people and more importantly, every child’s first love, cricket was gone and many thought, for the lifetime. Adding insult to injury, there was then a spot fixing scandal, three Pakistani players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir were caught in a spot fixing scandal, which further dented the image and confidence of Pakistan’s team and nation alike.
Fast forward to today, Pakistan has hosted big countries with ease – no security concerns, no threats, but India is still not willing to travel to Pakistan. In recent years, Pakistan has hosted England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and in August Bangladesh will be visiting the country for a two-match Test series (although the side has visited before as well). And guess what, even the likes of Australia and England had a safe and healthy time in Pakistan and of course the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is just another example.
Recently, the Pakistan players and media have requested India to visit Pakistan next year for the Champions Trophy. Interestingly, in the last edition of this marquee event, Pakistan beat their arch-rivals by 180 runs and hence the host nation will be defending champions as well.
Younis Khan, the Pakistani legend, shared an emotional message for Virat Kohli urging him to visit Pakistan again.
“Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. It is our wish too. I think the only thing left in Virat’s career is to tour Pakistan and perform,
And on Wednesday in a media interaction, Khan reiterated this wish again.
“I wish to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing in Pakistan [in Champions Trophy 2025]. Whenever we toured India, we were treated with utmost respect,”
Former Pakistan’s all-rounder and captain, Shahid Khan Afridi was also annoyed by the lame “excuses” made by India to avoid travelling to Pakistan.
“If India does not have the intention of coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, then India will continue to make excuses,” said Shahid Afridi. “The Pakistan cricket team toured India despite threats. The Indian cricket team is welcome if they do not want to visit Pakistan,” he added.
While speaking to PakPassion, the Test cricketer Hassan Ali also urged the Indian team to travel to Pakistan for the marquee event.
“If we’re going there to India to play, then they should come to Pakistan too”
“But if you look at it from another angle, many Indian players have said in interviews that they want to play in Pakistan. So, it doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t want to come; they do. But obviously, they have their policies.” Hassan added, reflecting on the complexities involved.
Nevertheless, during the Asia Cup 2023, an event which was being hosted by Pakistan, India did not want to travel and opted for a hybrid model, playing their games in Sri Lanka.
Even though Indian team wants to play in Pakistan, it’s the government which denies, all day -everyday (yes let me say it) and in one of the recent statements, the BCCI President, Rajeev Shukla said the team may travel to Pakistan only if government will give the green signal.
“Pakistan can say whatever it wants about coming to India during the 2026 World Cup, but we are only waiting for the approval of the Indian government,” Shukla said.
