A Pakistani journalist raised the issue of India’s refusal to come to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025 during the US Department of State’s daily press briefing.
The question was asked to principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel.
A Pakistani Journalist complains in US Department of State press briefing of BCCI refusal to send the Indian Cricket team to Pakistan for #ChampionsTrophy2025.
— Ganesh (@me_ganesh14) November 16, 2024
Visibly shocked Dy Spokesperson Vedang Patel replies it's for Indian govt to decide on this not US. #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/1xx7pATnP3
“There’s a big cricket event in Pakistan,” the journalist asked.
“Cricket? Oh, I didn’t have that on my bingo card. Go ahead,” Patel replied.
“It’s the biggest event after the Cricket World Cup, and India was set to participate, but the Indian government has refused to send the team to Pakistan. The Indian team last visited Pakistan in 2008, but due to political tensions, India has not travelled there since. Do you believe mixing politics with sports is a good idea? What’s your opinion on this?” the journalist asked.
Patel said the issue is strictly between India and Pakistan however he highlighted the importance of sports diplomacy in connecting people.
“As it relates to relations between India and Pakistan, that’s for them to address, whether through sports or other matters. I’ll leave it to them to speak about their bilateral relationship. It’s not something for us to get involved in, but sports is undoubtedly a powerful and unifying force,” Patel said.
Champions Trophy 2025
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Global Trophy Tour for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was informed that India would not tour Pakistan for the eight-team tournament, leaving the fate of the event hanging in the balance.
The brewing situation looks alarming for world cricket, in case India does not come to Pakistan which also stands firm on its stance that it would no longer accept a hybrid model — used for last year’s Asia Cup — the scenario will become complex and may reach a very difficult point.
