‘Pakistan cricket will prosper’ – Javed Miandad challenges ICC after India’s latest Champions Trophy decision

Former Pakistan cricket star Javed Miandad has called out ICC’s reluctance to intervene in BCCI’s stance of not touring for Champions Trophy 2025. The former skipper said that the Pakistan cricket team can survive despite India’s reluctance to tour. 

PTI quoted Miandad “It is a joke that this is happening. Even if we don't play India at all, Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper as well as we have shown in the past. I would like to see how the ICC events earn money when there are no Pakistan and India matches," 

It was reported on Sunday that the Indian government hasn’t given India permission to tour Pakistan. One of the major reasons cited behind the move is security concerns. There were hopes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will make their way across the border. Those hopes increased when India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar had visited Pakistan for the SCO Summit. 

Former Pakistan players slam India over latest move 

Inzamam ul Haq has said that BCCI is depriving fans in Pakistan of the chance to see some of the best Indian players in action. “They are depriving cricket of such a big occasion. There is no threat to the Indian team in Pakistan. In fact, they would get the best hospitality here,"

Meanwhile, Rashid Latif said "Enough is enough. When all teams are playing in Pakistan without any problem, this decision by India is purely political, and that should be unacceptable in all sports, including cricket,"

Former skipper Wasim Akram had urged India to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy tournament. Wasim Akram said to ESPN CRICINFO “The vibes look positive from the BCCI and the Indian government. I read somewhere that their games are in Lahore, and they will play in the city and will travel back the same night after every match. I am okay with this arrangement as long as India is comfortable”

The former left-arm seamer also said “The Indian players will be looked after well. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya have a lot of fans in Pakistan. The young cricketers love them,”