We will give you everything: Former Pakistan pacer 'challenges' India to play in Champions Trophy 2025
India skipper Rohit Sharma (Source: ICC)
Former Pakistan pacer Tanveer Ahmed has challenged the Indian cricket team to 'come' to play Champions Trophy 2025. There's been a lot of uncertainty over India's travelling to Pakistan for the ICC tournament early next year.
“We are lions,” Ahmed declared. “We came and played cricket in your country. Come here and show... We are inviting you to come and play. We will provide security; we will give you everything. Just come once,” said Ahmed on his YouTube channel as reported by Cricket Pakistan.
“This is only the job of Pakistani players, brother. Only Pakistani players came and play, then left. Whether they win or lose, they play the kind of cricket they do. They went to India, played there, and came back. This is what you call a brave team and brave players,” he further added.
Notably, India also hadn't travelled to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023 and its matches were subsequently held in Sri Lanka. Pakistan, however, travelled to India for 2023 ODI World Cup played right after the regional tournament.
The news agency PTI, meanwhile, has reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has left the responsibility to convince the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to travel for the tournament up to the ICC.
"The PCB now has done what was required of it as hosts of the Champions Trophy. It has submitted the draft schedule and format for the event and also submitted budget for the event,” reported PTI citing a PCB source.
Both India and Pakistan face each other in the ICC and Asian tournaments only and do not play in bilateral series due to political tensions between them.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be played from February 19-March 9 next year with all of India's matches to be hosted in Lahore as per draft schedule.
