'If our players are not safe in Pakistan, we won't send the team': Harbhajan Singh lashes out on Champions Trophy 2025 hosts Pakistan in live show

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has said that India won't send it's team to Pakistan if "our players are not safe" in the country. Harbhajan made the comment when he was constantly poked on the Pakistani TV channel. 
 

"If our players are not safe in Pakistan, we won't send the team. If you want to play, play; if not, then don't. Indian cricket can still survive without Pakistan. If you guys can survive without Indian cricket, do it," Turbanator had said in an old video that has gone viral on social media.

Eight years ago, Pakistan beat India in the final on England soil under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s leadership to win the Champions Trophy. 
 

Pakistan are the official hosts of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This is the first major ICC event Pakistan will be hosting after 1996. India, Sri Lanka and co-hosted the ODI World Cup in 1996. 

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BCCI’s stand on the issue

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah and vice-president Rajeev Shukla have maintained their stand that whether the government will decide whether India will go to Pakistan or not. 

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Meanwhile, there have been speculations that in the ICC Annual General Meeting in Sri Lanka, it will be discussed whether a hybrid model like Asia Cup 2023 will be adopted for ICC Champions Trophy as well which is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already sent the draft of schedule to ICC but an official announcement is yet to be made.
 

India beat Pakistan in WCL 2024 final

While there is uncertainty over whether India will go to Pakistan for the eight-team event or not, the Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions emerged victorious against Younis Khan’s Pakistan Champions in World Championship of Legends 2024. Harbhajan bowled just one over in the final at Edgbaston, Birmingham on July 13. 
 

Pakistan set a target of 157 which was chased down with five wickets in hand and five balls to spare. Ambati Rayudu won the ‘Player of the match’ for his 30-ball fifty whereas Yusuf Pathan was adjudged the ‘Player of the tournament’. 
 

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