Basit Ali warns PCB to cancel Champions Trophy
Basit Ali warns PCB and questions Pakistani government over ‘martyring of soldiers’ Pakistan’s Basit Ali has expressed his objections about the host country defending its title at the ICC Champions Trophy. Emphasising the need to enhance security measures, Ali warned Pakistan that any security lapse could derail the country’s bid to host the global cricket tournament. Former world champions Pakistan are set to host Test series against Bangladesh, England and West Indies in the busy 2024-25 season.
Ali emphasized that if the PCB doesn’t address security concerns and diplomatic issues, participating teams might refuse to travel to Pakistan. Given recent controversies over Pakistan’s ability to host international matches safely, Ali’s warning is a stark reminder of the challenges that the PCB faces. He urged the board to work closely with international cricket authorities to ensure the event takes place as planned and to protect Pakistan’s reputation as a host nation.
Pakistan Team has also secured the hosting rights for the 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy from the ICC. Pakistan had won the famous trophy by defeating India in the 2017 final. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last month announced the dates and schedule for the entire domestic season, including the spectacle of the Champions Trophy. warned PCB and questions Pakistani government over ‘martyring of soldiers’.
Champions Trophy will not be played here
Since the Champions Trophy is in Pakistan and after Bangladesh, teams like England and West Indies are also going to tour, we should focus on security. God forbid, if any incident happens in these tours, the Champions Trophy will not be played here. Our soldiers are getting martyred in Balochistan and Peshawar. Only the government can answer why this is happening, but this is wrong, Ali said.
Teams should get the same security as the Prime Minister
Pakistan’s domestic season will begin with the Test series with Bangladesh on August 21. Basit believes that teams visiting Pakistan should get the same security as the country’s Prime Minister and President. After the Bangladesh series, Pakistan will host England for a three-Test series in Multan, Karachi and Rawalpindi. “We should ensure that there is no small lapse in security. Foreign teams should get the same security as our Prime Minister and President. I am sure Mohsin Naqvi will be aware of these things.
Pakistan will play a two-match home Test series with Bangladesh. They will also host England and West Indies before the next ICC mega tournament and former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali believes that the PCB should guarantee that there will be no security issues as it could have a big impact on Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy.
Top level security for team
He stressed the need for every team to get top level security and claimed that it should be at the level of security given to the Prime Minister or the President. He said that he is sure that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is aware of this and will ensure that arrangements are in place.
India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan has forced the ICC to consider a hybrid model, similar to the one adopted for the Asia Cup. While Pakistan is fighting tooth and nail to retain the hosting rights of CT 2025, it remains to be seen what decision the ICC takes. India last visited Pakistan in 2008 during the Asia Cup. After that, India did not travel to Pakistan due to geopolitical tensions between the two countries and only faced Pakistan in ICC events and tournaments at neutral venues.
Former star Basit Ali on hosting Champions Trophy in 2025
Former Pakistan cricket team star Basit Ali has raised concerns over the country hosting the Champions Trophy in 2025. Given India’s reluctance to travel to the neighbouring country, there is already a lot of talk about Pakistan hosting the tournament.
Basit Ali demanded the government to ensure security arrangements for the seamless hosting of CT 2025 and warned that it will soon remain a dream if steps are not taken.
Will Pakistan be able to host Champions Trophy 2025?
Ali said that teams like England and West Indies apart from Bangladesh were to visit Pakistan before the Champions Trophy 2025. He raised concerns over any incidents affecting the security of visiting teams during these tours and said that this could affect Pakistan’s hosting of CT 2025. He sought answers from the government on the soldiers reportedly martyred in Balochistan and Peshawar.
Conclusion
The BCCI and PCB are currently in a massive debate over the Indian cricket team visiting Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy. The mega tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in February next year. However, the BCCI is not in favour of sending the Men in Blue to their neighbouring country, citing security concerns.
The Indian cricket board has confirmed that the big event should be played in a hybrid model. When the Asia Cup 2022 was held in a hybrid format, Sri Lanka hosted all the major matches. The PCB does not believe that the Champions Trophy should be moved out of Pakistan and has confirmed the same to the ICC.
