‘ICC has to deal with it’ - Salman Butt wants apex cricket body to ensure India’s participation in Champions Trophy 2025

Team India is still high with the huge win in the T20 World Cup last Saturday. The next assignment for the men in blue as far as the ICC event goes is the 2025 Champions Trophy. Former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt has asked the International Cricket Council to take a firm view of the matter as far as India is concerned. 

The event is supposed to be held in Pakistan and there are massive concerns if the Indian team will tour their neighbours or not. India last toured Pakistan in 2008 during the Asia Cup tournament. Pakistan was to host the 2023 Asia Cup as well but India’s reluctance meant that the tournament was played in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka hosting the majority of the tournament. 

Salman Butt while speaking on his YouTube channel said, “If they come, then they welcome, if they don't, the ICC has to deal with it. We will find out if they can just deal with all the other countries or can do the same with India as well. It will show how much authority they have as a regulator and how neutral they can be."

Salman Butt has his say on Jay Shah’s role 

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has been called the most influential man in world cricket. Many social media users have expressed their concern over the clout Jay Shah wields in cricket. 

While addressing this, Salman Butt said, “We try sensationalizing everything. There have been a few reports suggesting that Jay Shah has given a positive signal. However, I don't think he's given any signals. I wouldn't have been excited even if there had been a signal from him because it is the ICC's duty to ensure that all teams visit Pakistan.

Salman Butt also said, “When the World Cup was in India last year, it was said that Pakistan wouldn't go unless there was confirmation from India about the Champions Trophy. The Indian media responded by saying that it was an ICC event. So I think we should also stick to that. I don't think we should be worried about anything."

Finally, at the end of his video, Butt also said, “Pakistan should not be worried about who is coming and who is not. They should be concerned about making the event a success and providing good venues, hotels and security. There are no problems with these things, that is why teams have been visiting Pakistan in the last couple of years. So, if India decides anything else, it is for the ICC to counter, not for us."