International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman, Greg Barclay, has confirmedthat Pakistan will host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy despite India’sreluctancy to travel to the country due to political tensions between thetwo nations.
Barclay said that there is no reason for teams to not tour Pakistan asthere is no security threat in the region and if ICC believed that it wasnot safe to travel to Pakistan then they would not have given the countrythe hosting rights for a major event.
“We wouldn’t have awarded the event if we didn’t think Pakistan was capableof hosting it. We think it is an exciting opportunity for them to be ableto host a world event for the first time in a long time. I’m sure, as withall countries, they will put together appropriate security plans to deliverthe event. We’re comfortable and confident it will go ahead,” Barclaystated.
Barclay’s statement came after India’s sports minister, Anurag Thakur, hadcommented that India will be reluctant to travel to Pakistan as there havebeen various security threats in the region which also led to New Zealandcalling off their tour of the country.
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Barclay also commented on the political tensions between Pakistan and Indiaand said that he is hopeful that cricket can be the medium through whichthe two countries can mend their differences and improve their relations.He expressed hope that all teams will be willing to travel to Pakistan andthe tournament will be held without any hiccups.
