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Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to separate politics from sports and allow the Indian team to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. While all other participating countries have confirmed their participation, India's decision to travel to Pakistan remains uncertain. The strained political relationship between India and Pakistan has influenced the BCCI's stance, as they have stated that they require the Indian government's permission to allow the team to tour Pakistan. Given the current political climate, the chances of India traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy appear slim.
In a recent interview with TimesofIndia.com, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal advocated for separating sports and politics. He urged for a return to bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan, allowing both teams to play in each other's countries. Akmal questioned why India wouldn't consider touring Pakistan, given that other teams like Australia have done so.
India should travel to Pakistan, and Pakistan should go to India: Kamran Akmal
"I consider myself lucky that I travelled to India and played several series, both home and away. I really enjoyed those times. India should travel to Pakistan, and Pakistan should go to India. Let's keep the political matters aside and play and love cricket," Akmal told TOI.
"When a team like Australia can visit Pakistan, why not India? The India-Pakistan bilateral series should happen. Both governments need to sit and talk. This will benefit cricket," he added.
The most recent bilateral series between India and Pakistan took place in 2013 when Pakistan toured India for a T20I and ODI series. Pakistan emerged victorious in the ODI series, winning 2-1, while the T20I series ended in a 1-1 draw.
Kamran Akmal highlighted Pakistan's efforts to revive cricket in their country. He expressed confidence that the Pakistan government would not deny their team permission to tour India.
"Pehle aapne Asia Cup le liya, ab Champions Trophy ki baatein kar rahe hain. Kyun kar rahe hain aap aisa? (first you took away the Asia Cup from Pakistan, now talking about Champions Trophy, why?)...Pakistan has done a lot of hard work to bring cricket back to the country," Akmal said.
"If India invites Pakistan, our government will never stop us. They will say, 'Go and play.' The Indian government should do the same. Let's keep politics aside and play cricket," he concluded.
India's last tour of Pakistan occurred in 2008 for the Asia Cup, where they finished as runners-up. The Mumbai terror attacks of 2008, with their alleged links to Pakistan, further strained the political relationship between the two nations. While India has not visited Pakistan in 16 years, Pakistan has frequently participated in ICC tournaments held in India. Recently, the Pakistan cricket team traveled to India for the ODI World Cup 2023.
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