Pakistani senior journalist Azaz Syed has claimed that Pakistan and India might soon play a bilateral cricket series.
Taking to his X (Previously Twitter) account, Azaz wrote, “Breaking: #Pakistan #India agreed to the first talk on #cricket resumption. Details will be finalised later. For more details on my news, keep watching @geonews_urdu and #TalkShock on YouTube.”
The talks between foreign ministers of Pakistan and India on the occasion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference started with cricket, Azaz reported for Geo News.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy is scheduled in Pakistan in February next year. Discussions have been started on this matter from both sides.
Last, Pakistan and India played the bilateral series in 2012-13. This series consisted of Two T20 and Three ODI matches played in India. The T20 series was drawn by 1-1, while Pakistan won the ODI series by 2-1.
Champion Trophy 2025 and India’s participation:
The Champion Trophy is scheduled for February of next year in Pakistan. All teams have confirmed their arrival, while India’s participation is yet to be confirmed.
In July, Indian media claimed that India would not visit Pakistan for the event, saying that some matches of the Champions Trophy would be held in the United Arab Emirates or Sri Lanka on a hybrid model.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajeev Shukla denied these claims, saying that the Indian government would make the final decision.
The Telegraph Report on Champion Trophy:
UK publication ‘The Telegraph’ has reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering different venues for India’s matches, including the final of the trophy. The final could be shifted from Lahore to Dubai. The final is scheduled to be played in Gadafi Stadium in Lahore on March 9, 2025.
Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are likely to host India’s matches if needed, The Telegraph has reported.
ICC chief executive’s statement about Champions Trophy:
On September 12, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice confirmed now that there are no plans to move the Champions Trophy from Pakistan.
He said, “No team has hesitated to play in the tournament. All teams are committed to playing in Pakistan. Despite previous challenges, all participating teams are determined to play in Pakistan.”
The ICC Champions Trophy will host eight elite teams based on their performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup: India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
Pakistan is currently the defending champion of the Champions Trophy. The Pakistan cricket team, led by former captain Sarfraz Ahmed, won the Trophy in England in 2017, defeating India in the final.
