Photo: AFP file
UAE Ambassador to India, Abdulnasser Alshaali, has expressed openness to hosting the highly anticipated cricket match between India and Pakistan amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clearly stated its reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains adamant about hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan.
In recent developments, sources informed Geo News on Sunday that a new formula has been devised, under which India would play all their scheduled ICC matches in Pakistan in Dubai. Concurrently, Pakistan would also play their matches slated for India in Dubai. This arrangement is set to be in effect for the next three years, beginning with the 2025 Champions Trophy.
As discussions continue on the optimal hosting strategy for the tournament, Abdulnasser Alshaali conveyed the UAE's readiness to host the high-stakes clash. "Why wouldn't we? We have always hosted such games. We will continue to host such games. The UAE is open for business and open for sports," Alshaali told ANI when queried about the UAE's willingness to host the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match.
On Friday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) convened a meeting with all member nations to determine the future of the Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place in Pakistan next year. The following day, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, reiterated Pakistan's stance and rejected the notion of a hybrid model for the tournament, hinting at the possibility of a new, equitable formula.
"We will do what's best for cricket. It's definitely not a hybrid formula, but if a new formula is formed, it will be an equal one. We will not allow one-sided decisions [...] decisions should be made based on equality," Naqvi stated in Dubai on Saturday, as reported by PCB media on X.
Due to the strained political relations between the two nations, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, when they participated in the Asia Cup. The last bilateral series between the arch-rivals took place in 2012-13 in India, featuring white-ball matches. Since then, India and Pakistan have primarily met in ICC tournaments and Asia Cups.
Last Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal cited BCCI's security concerns, stating during a press briefing that it is "unlikely" that the Indian team would travel to Pakistan to play.
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