Wasim Akram, the legendary former Pakistan cricketer, has expressed optimism about India potentially traveling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for early next year. The tournament marks the first time Pakistan will host such an ICC event since 1996, igniting excitement and anticipation among cricket fans. Despite the rich cricketing history between India and Pakistan, the two neighboring countries have not played a bilateral series since 2012, mainly due to strained political ties and security concerns.
The Champions Trophy will see eight teams competing, including cricketing heavyweights like Australia, England, and South Africa. Akram shared his thoughts during a recent interaction, stating, "I think what I'm reading indicates positive vibes from both the Indian government and the BCCI. They might play all their games in Lahore, returning the same day, which I support as long as India feels comfortable." He emphasized the admiration Indian players receive from Pakistani fans, noting the popularity of stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Akram assured, "They [Indian cricketers] will be looked after incredibly well" and mentioned the adoration these athletes enjoy, particularly among younger cricket enthusiasts across the border. He highlighted the importance of fostering goodwill through sports, especially as the negativity across social media continues to flourish globally. Akram believes if India’s team visits, it would be beneficial for both nations and for cricket as a whole.
Meanwhile, Rajiv Shukla, the vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), reinforced the idea of government approval as the key factor for India's participation. He stated, "No decision has been made yet. Our policy is to seek governmental permission for all international tours. It’s up to the government to decide whether our team should go to any country."
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed hosting India’s matches exclusively at Lahore, ensuring full security arrangements for the visiting team. The PCB has even suggested relocating the final to Lahore, should India reach this coveted stage of the tournament.
Global cricketing events have become the primary stage for India and Pakistan to square off, with their last official bilateral series taking place during Pakistan’s tour of India back in the 2006-2007 season. Since then, the teams have clashed only at multi-nation tournaments, like the World Cups and the Asia Cup. The last Test match between the rivals occurred in December 2007.
Cricket pundits and enthusiasts remain hopeful for positive developments, especially when considering past encounters. For example, just recently, during the ICC T20 World Cup held earlier this year, the teams faced off at Nassau County Stadium, where India clinched victory by just six runs, with notable performances from players like Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant.
Overall, as Pakistan prepares for the return of international cricket on its home soil, the buzz surrounding the Champions Trophy has heightened anticipation and restored hope for cricket diplomacy between the two nations.
