'If India doesn't want to come, we'll play without them': ICC Champions Trophy 2017 winner makes big statement amidst talk of hybrid model

Hasan Ali who was one of the top performers for Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final against India has made a strong statement ahead of the upcoming edition. Amidst uncertainty over whether India will travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025 or not and speculations around it being a hybrid model, Ali has said that they would rather have another team join the tournament.
 

Ali wants Pakistan to play the entirety of Champions Trophy 2025 to be held in Pakistan. He said that Indian players want to play on Pakistan soil but politics is the reason they haven’t done it in a long time. 
 

“If we’re going there (to India) to play, then they should come to Pakistan too. A lot of 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 said on Samaa TV.
 

“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," he added.

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Ali’s performance in Champions Trophy 2017 final

Champions Trophy 2025 will be the first major event hosted by Pakistan since Asia Cup 2008. Ali was one of the top bowlers in Champions Trophy 2017 final. He took three wickets and conceded just 19 runs from 6.3 overs. His scalps included wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni.

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Ali not guaranteed a spot

Meanwhile, it is not clear whether Ali will retain his place in the ODI side. Pakistan haven’t played an ODI since the ODI World Cup 2023. Earlier this year, he was dropped from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad. The 30-year-old was released from the squad and played T20 Blast in England. 
 

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