Pak cricket chief remains optimistic about India’s participation in Champions Trophy

Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and federal interior minister, has expressed optimism that India will participate in the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, scheduled from February 19 to March 9.

Speaking to the media at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, Naqvi said, "I am very hopeful as there is no valid reason for India to postpone or cancel the tour. All teams, including India, will participate."

Importance of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit

Naqvi further mentioned the potential significance of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which Pakistan will host in Islamabad on October 15 and 16.

Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is expected to attend, and there is a strong possibility of cricket-related discussions between Jaishankar and Naqvi.

India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan July 29, 2024.Reuters

Although no formal talks have been arranged yet, Naqvi remains optimistic about India's participation, stating, "details of the meeting with him (Jaishankar) have not been finalized, but I am very hopeful India will come."

Impact of terrorist attack in Karachi

However, Naqvi's remarks came before a deadly blast in Karachi, which left at least two dead and 10 injured late Sunday night. Karachi is one of the venues for the Champions Trophy.

Reuters reported that two Chinese nationals were among the victims, in what the Chinese embassy called a "terrorist attack." The explosion targeted a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company near the airport, and provincial home minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar confirmed that foreigners were the target of the attack.

It is yet to be seen if this incident will affect India's participation. Despite the blast, England's Test series in Pakistan continued as planned, with the first Test in Multan starting on time on Monday.

Pakistan's Shoaib Malik sweeps on the way to his sixth ODI century against India during the 2008 Asia Cup match in Karachi.AFP

India have not visited Pakistan since July 2008 due to political tensions between the two nations. However, India’s participation in the Champions Trophy hinges on government approval, as confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Last year, Pakistan traveled to India for the ICC ODI World Cup, but India has remained firm in its stance against touring Pakistan. This position was also evident in the 2023 Asia Cup, which Pakistan hosted in a hybrid model. Of the 13 matches, only four were held in Pakistan, while the remaining nine took place in Sri Lanka.

The Champions Trophy will be the first major ICC event hosted in Pakistan in nearly three decades, featuring eight top teams. Pakistan last co-hosted an ICC event in 1996 during the One-Day World Cup, with the final at Gaddafi Stadium, where Sri Lanka claimed their first global title.