Harbhajan Singh, the esteemed former Indian spinner, has expressed his support for the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to refrain from sending its team to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy in 2025. Scheduled to take place between February and March next year, Pakistan is set to host the prestigious tournament.
The longstanding political tensions between India and Pakistan have significantly impacted their cricketing relations. The two nations have refrained from engaging in bilateral tournaments for over a decade, limiting their encounters to events such as the Asia Cup and ICC tournaments. Despite numerous efforts to reconcile, a resolution has remained elusive.
Recent reports indicate that the BCCI remains hesitant to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The BCCI has cited the need for approval from the Indian government, which, in turn, has maintained its stance against sending the team to Pakistan due to lingering concerns stemming from the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
Harbhajan Singh, a respected figure in the cricketing world and a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, recently voiced his support for the BCCI's decision in an interview with IANS. He highlighted the security risks faced by Indian players in Pakistan, emphasizing the volatile nature of the region as a constant threat to the safety of the players.
"Why should the Indian team go to Pakistan? The security issue there is significant. The situation in Pakistan is such that incidents occur almost every day. I don't think it's safe to go there. The stance of the BCCI is absolutely correct, and nothing is more important than the safety of our players" Harbhajan said to IANS.
Harbhajan emphasized that frequent security breaches are being reported in the neighboring country, making it imperative for the Indian team to avoid setting foot in Pakistan during tense circumstances.
Despite this, Pakistan has assured that they will implement all necessary safety measures to protect Indian players. India is expected to play all their matches in Lahore, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prepared to construct a hotel near the ground with foolproof security measures. Concentrating matches in one city will facilitate the provision of comprehensive security for the visiting team.
In response to Harbhajan's remarks, former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed criticized him on his official social media platform. Ahmed questioned why Harbhajan would discourage Indian players from traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, while still interacting with them in other tournaments. He also made disparaging remarks about internal issues within India.
"Abey @harbhajan_singh doghley insan ager to bolta ha india ko pakistan nahi jana chahiye tou doghley insan ghatiya insan phir pakistani players say tou kyn milta ha humain bhi pata ha ghatiya insan tere mulk main kia hota hai" he wrote in Hindi.
According to recent reports, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi has been in communication with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to inquire about India's position on playing in Pakistan. The PCB is eagerly awaiting the final decision from India.
The BCCI has consistently stated that decisions regarding playing cricket in Pakistan are contingent upon government approval. If the Indian team decides to withdraw from the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka will advance in their stead, as they finished 9th in the 2023 ODI World Cup standings.
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