Former Pakistan cricketers Javed Miandad, Wasim Bari, Iqbal Qasim and Moin Khan have expressed satisfaction after making significant progress in the long-running dispute over hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that India will play all its matches in the tournament at a neutral venue, while Pakistan will also play its matches at neutral venues during ICC events hosted by India until the current cycle ends in 2027.
The announcement came as a huge relief after months of uncertainty over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Reacting to the resolution, former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for taking a sensible approach to the situation.
PCB wins over BCCI in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 dispute: Javed Miandad
The legendary cricketer pointed out that the PCB had gained much more than the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by looking for a mutual solution rather than escalating tensions with the ICC. Miandad also highlighted the importance of Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy and said that PCB's win sent a strong message to the BCCI.
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“I think PCB has taken the sensible approach and instead of doing something hasty and facing isolation in the ICC and among other cricketing nations, it has opted for a solution as I think PCB has gained more CBI,” Javed Miandad was quoted as saying by PTI. However, Pakistan is hosting a major event after a very long time and we have sent a clear message that if you don't come and play in our country, we won't play in India either.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan captains Wasim Bari and Moin Khan also welcomed progress in the Champions Trophy 2025 dispute between Pakistan and India. Parry said he can now only imagine how warm the welcome and hospitality Indian players and fans would have received had they visited Pakistan for the prestigious tournament.
Wasim Bari and Moeen Khan laud PCB for securing neutral venue arrangement with BCCI
“I can only imagine the warm welcome and warm hospitality that the players and fans will receive in Pakistan,” said Wasim Bari.
On the other hand, Moin Khan, another former Pakistan captain, said that securing the right to host another ICC event is a major achievement for Pakistan cricket. “If the PCB is also able to host another international cricket event, it is good news for Pakistan cricket,” he said.
In the end, former Pakistani sprinter Iqbal Qasim praised the GCC for successfully negotiating a compromise between the ICC and the Bank of Commerce and Industry. He acknowledged the strength and financial strength of BCCI, but Pakistan managed to get a fair ranking this time, and this is a big win for them.
This time our Board of Directors has got something against the powerful BCCI: Iqbal Qasim
“BCCI has a very strong and financially influential board. But unlike last year's Asia Cup, this time our board took a stand and achieved something. The main thing is that we are hosting the tournament and we are also not going to India will now play in ICC events. Both teams will now play on neutral venues.”
Notably, the combination format will be applied for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, next year's Women's Cricket World Cup in India, and the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
