Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper without India, says Javed Miandad amid CT 2025 row

Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad has expressed his disappointment over the Indian government's decision to not allow the national side to tour Pakistan for next year's Champions Trophy, to be held in February-March. Following BCCI's withdrawal, Miandad labelled the decision as a 'joke' and feels Pakistan cricket can not only survive but 'prosper' without India.

"It is a joke that this is happening. Even if we don't play India at all, Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper as well as we have shown in the past. I would like to see how the ICC events earn money when there are no Pakistan and India matches," Miandad was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Ever since Pakistan were granted the hosting rights for the forthcoming ICC event, there were speculations regarding India's participation. The Indian team hasn't visited Pakistan since 2008, following the Mumbai terror attack, and even played their Asia Cup 2023 games in Sri Lanka, when the continental showpiece event was held in Pakistan.

Thus, due to India's reluctance to travel to Pakistan, the last edition of the Asia Cup was held in a hybrid model. Babar Azam-led Pakistan, on the other hand, travelled to India for the ODI World Cup, which was held in India just a few months after the Asia Cup.

Reportedly, the PCB is in no mood to accept a hybrid model for the CT 2025 edition. It will be interesting to see how things pan out this time around as BCCI and PCB continue to be at loggerheads due to the Indian government’s recent decision.

For the CT 2025 edition, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand are in Group A whereas the other group comprises Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa and England. Pakistan, the host country, is also the defending champions, having won the 2017 edition by beating India comprehensively at The Oval, London.