Pakistan’s right to host the ICC Champions Trophy has raised doubts over India’s willingness to travel to the country. Due to the political differences between the two neighbouring nations, bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been suspended since 2013. If the reports are to be believed, the BCCI is unlikely to get travel clearance from the Indian government for the tournament in Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s recent visit to India for the 2023 fifty-over World Cup has sparked discussions over a possible return in favour.

As per the initial Champions Trophy, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host all of India’s matches, including the one against Pakistan.

There have also been rumours that the BCCI has propose a hybrid model similar to the one used for last year’s Asia Cup when India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka.

Amid the ongoing debate, former captain Younis Khan has urged for India to travel to Pakistan, as it is the “only thing left” in star batter Virat Kohli‘s career.

“Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy. It is our wish too. He should come and perform in Pakistan. I think the only thing left in Virat’s career is to tour Pakistan and perform,” Younis Khan to News24.

India last played a bilateral series away against Pakistan in 2006, two years before Kohli’s international debut. 

While the 35-year-old did play a series against Pakistan when the side toured India for a limited-overs tour in December 2012, Kohli is yet to play a Test against Pakistan.

According to a recent report, the PCB has left it up to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to convince the BCCI to send its team to Pakistan for the upcoming champions Trophy.

According to a PCB source, while the budget for the Champions Trophy was approved at the recent ICC meetings in Colombo, the schedule and format didn’t come up for discussion at all.

“The PCB now has done what was required of it as hosts of the Champions Trophy. It has submitted the draft schedule and format for the event and also submitted budget for the event,” a PCB insider said.

“It is now up to the ICC how soon they circulate, discuss and finalize the schedule of the Champions Trophy. The PCB for its part in the draft schedule has suggested hosting all of India’s games in Lahore including a semi-final (if India qualifies) and final,” he said.

Pakistan’s highest Test run-getter and former captain, Younis Khan has said that had Bob Woolmer, the late national head coach, been alive the country’s cricket would have reached great heights. Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica a few hours after Pakistan’s loss to Ireland and subsequent elimination from the 2007 Cricket World Cup. “I have no doubt that if Woolmer had remained head coach, Pakistan cricket would have been very different today, and he would have taken it to great heights,” said Younis.

Younis, who was a member of the squad in 2007, also indirectly expressed disappointment at the lack of support the players got from their authorities when they were under investigation following Woolmer’s death.

“I was very close to Bob (Woolmer) and it was our daily routine to sit down together after a match or nets to discuss cricket. Unfortunately, the night he passed away, we didn’t sit together as we had lost to Ireland.

“I was also out for a duck and was very upset with myself. So, I went to my room and locked myself in. Next day, I didn’t see him at breakfast and later we learned about his death,” Younis said on a Pakistani TV channel.

Younis added that Woolmer’s death and the stress the players had to undergo in the West Indies changed his mind about captaining Pakistan on a long-term basis. Woolmer’s death was later ruled due to natural causes after the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government sent their own security officials to the Caribbean to work with the Jamaican police.

Younis said Woolmer had mentally prepared him to lead Pakistan for a long period in all formats after the World Cup.

“After what all happened in the World Cup, I changed my mind and I became a reluctant captain and had no long-term tenure in mind.” 

Younis said that after Woolmer’s death, the players were moved to another island where they were questioned for three days by the local police.

“It was like a torture for us there. While I fully understand the responsibilities a player has to show as an ambassador of his country, it should be the other way round… authorities must also look after us,” he added. 

WCL 2024: India will look to avenge their loss against Pakistan in the group stage.© X (Twitter)

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has made another scathing attack at current Pakistan captain Babar Azam, stating that it is time for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to look at a new captain. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Afridi stated that enough time has been given to Babar as captain, and that now a new captain should be appointed and backed. Afridi stated that Babar has already received a lot more backing than any captain during his own era, but with little success to show for it.

“As far as Babar is concerned, no captain has received such a prolonged opportunity. I’ve captained Pakistan, as has Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, none of us got such a long chance to captain. As soon as a World Cup would get over, we would be removed from captaincy,” said Afridi.

Recent reports surrounding Pakistan cricket has stated that PCB chairman is unlikely to introduce the ‘major surgery’ that he had earlier promised in order to avoid conflicts with senior players.

Babar has received significant criticism from several former cricketers, experts and fans after Pakistan exited the 2024 T20 World Cup in the group stage. Now, Afridi has pointed out that a new captain should be elected and stuck with.

Shahid Afridi : “Jitne chances @babarazam258 ko as a captain milay hain, aur kisi ko nahi mile Aur Selection Committee 6/7 Logon Ki Thi, @WahabViki Aur @ARazzaqPak Ki He Surgery Kun Huwi” pic.twitter.com/JSY29zykiB

— Thakur (@hassam_sajjad) July 9, 2024

“Babar Azam has gotten plenty of opportunities: two or three World Cups, two or three Asia Cups. In my opinion, whoever you bring in now should be fully backed,” said Afridi.

“I believe that any decision that is taken should be given a lot of time, be it the captain, coach or system,” said Afridi.

Babar Azam had resigned from captaincy after Pakistan failed to make the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, new white-ball captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was given only a few months, after which Babar was reinstated by the PCB.

Shaheen Afridi also happens to be Shahid Afridi’s son-in-law, having married his daughter Ansha in 2023.

Shahid Afridi also expressed confusion at the PCB’s decision to sack only Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee, when the entire committee consists of seven members.

Younis Khan has identified Babar Azam’s ideal replacement as next Pakistan captain.© AFP