International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday (November 16) announced the plans for 2024-31 cycle with host of nations getting allocations for various events. While there will be a newcomer to the roster of host nations with USA co-hosting the 2024 T20 World Cup, allocation of the rights to host the Champions Trophy in 2025 going to Pakistan raised a few eyebrows.
Union Sports Minister and former President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Anurag Thakur had his say on the latest series of events in a recent media interaction.
“When time comes will see what to do. Home ministry will be involved in decision making. Lot of countries have pulled out of going to Pakistan due to security issues. Will assess the security then and decide," the Union Sports Minister told the media.
The news comes as a welcome addition for Pakistan as they are set to host their first ICC event in more than quarter of a century. However, as the news filtered in India, question marks are being raised on India’s participation in the 2025 event. India last toured their arch-rivals in 2006 and since then political instability and poor diplomatic relationship has prevented India from visiting their neighbors.
Pakistan last hosted an International event in 2008 when Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup defeating India in the final. Last time Pakistan hosted a major ICC event, it was the 1996 World Cup as a co-host along with India. They were also set to host the Champions Trophy in 2008, but the ICC later took away the rights as security of players became an issue. The event was eventually postponed to 2009 and South Africa were allotted the rights to be the host nation.
