Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has raised concerns about the safety of the Indian cricket team if they travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. Given the strained political relations between the two countries, and India's long-standing refusal to play bilateral cricket with Pakistan since 2012, Kaneria has proposed a hybrid model for the tournament. His suggestion mirrors the structure used during the 2023 Asia Cup, where India played all their matches in Sri Lanka while Pakistan hosted other games.
The Safety Concerns
The tension between India and Pakistan, particularly over cross-border issues, has always impacted the two nations' sporting engagements. India has not played a bilateral series against Pakistan since 2012, and they have not visited Pakistan for cricket since 2008. Former Indian sports ministers have also clearly stated that until Pakistan addresses issues like terrorism, resuming cricketing ties would not be feasible
In this environment, the BCCI and the Indian government are highly unlikely to allow the Indian team to travel to Pakistan. Kaneria, understanding these complexities, emphasized that safety should be the top priority for both the players and the management. He advocated that instead of forcing the Indian team to play in Pakistan, a neutral venue, such as the UAE or Sri Lanka, should be used to ensure India’s participation without compromising their security.
The Hybrid Model Proposal
The hybrid model, first introduced during the 2023 Asia Cup, involved India playing its matches in Sri Lanka while Pakistan retained the hosting rights. This arrangement allowed the tournament to proceed smoothly without confrontation between the two governments or security concerns for the players. In that tournament, India successfully played and won the Asia Cup while all their games took place outside Pakistan.
Given the success of this model, Kaneria has suggested it be adopted for the Champions Trophy 2025 as well. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already submitted a draft schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC), which proposes India’s matches be played in Lahore. However, it is highly unlikely that this will be acceptable to India due to security and political concerns. As a result, discussions about hosting the tournament in a hybrid format are ongoing.
Diplomatic and Political Implications
The political backdrop plays a significant role in shaping sports relations between India and Pakistan. While both teams occasionally meet in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup matches, any series hosted by one country has become impossible due to diplomatic and security concerns. Kaneria’s proposal is seen as a pragmatic approach that acknowledges the reality of these strained relations, while still allowing for the spirit of international competition to thrive.
In the past, the Indian government has expressed strong reservations about sending teams to Pakistan, citing security concerns. Even last year, India's sports minister reiterated that the BCCI would not allow Indian athletes to compete in Pakistan until the issues surrounding cross-border terrorism are resolved. As a result, any decision regarding India's participation in the Champions Trophy will likely depend on government directives.
Pakistan’s Preparations for the Tournament
On the other side, the PCB is keen to host a successful Champions Trophy. This is the first ICC event to be held in Pakistan since the 1996 Cricket World Cup, and the board is eager to showcase the country’s capability to host high-profile international cricket matches. The PCB has allocated substantial funds for upgrading stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi to meet international standards ahead of the tournament.
However, despite these preparations, the likelihood of India traveling to Pakistan remains slim. Pakistan was also forced to adopt a hybrid model during the 2023 Asia Cup after India refused to play matches in Pakistan. The same model could be implemented for the Champions Trophy if both the ICC and the Indian government agree on alternative venues.
ICC’s Role and Decision-Making
The ICC has a critical role to play in this situation, as it needs to balance the hosting rights of Pakistan with the participation of other teams, particularly India, which is one of the largest markets for cricket globally. ICC officials, including their security teams, have already conducted inspections of venues in Pakistan to assess the safety arrangements. However, the final decision will likely be influenced by the BCCI and the Indian government’s stance on the issue.
In conclusion, Kaneria’s suggestion for a hybrid Champions Trophy in 2025 is a reflection of the complex relationship between India and Pakistan. While cricket has the potential to bring nations together, safety and diplomatic concerns continue to dictate the terms of engagement between these two cricketing giants. With India unlikely to travel to Pakistan due to security reasons, a hybrid model seems to be the most viable solution to ensure both countries’ participation in the tournament.
India has not played a bilateral series against Pakistan since 2012, and they have not visited Pakistan for cricket since 2008.Kaneria’s proposal is seen as a pragmatic approach that acknowledges the reality of these strained relations, while still allowing for the spirit of international competition to thrive.
