For the Champions Trophy, Hasan Ali reacts to reports of India not touring Pakistan
While reacting to the reports of the Indian cricket team potentially not traveling to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, star pacer of Pakistan Hasan Ali asserted that if the ICC tournament is going to be held in Pakistan, it should proceed as planned, even without India’s participation. Pakistan is set to host the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, an eight-team tournament scheduled to commence on February 19 in Karachi. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is slated to host the final on March 9. Three venues in Pakistan have been shortlisted to host the tournament matches, which last took place in 2017.
Hasan Ali expressed his views while stating, “If we’re going to India to play, then they should come to Pakistan too. Many people have said countless times that sports should stay away from politics. But if you look at it from another angle, many Indian players have said in interviews that they want to play in Pakistan. So, it doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t want to come; they definitely do. But obviously, they have their own policies, country, and board to consider.”
Hasan further emphasized, “As our PCB chairman has already said, if the Champions Trophy is going to be held in Pakistan, then it will be in Pakistan. If India doesn’t want to come, we’ll play without them. Cricket should be played in Pakistan, and if India doesn’t want to participate, it doesn’t mean cricket has ended. There are many other teams besides India.”