"International teams are coming but security concerns are much higher with the Indian team" - Danish Kaneria on 2025 Champions Trophy debacle

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria believes even as other teams have been touring Pakistan recently, the security concerns for the Indian side remain much higher. In the latest development regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy to be played in Pakistan, the BCCI have stated India's unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security reasons.

However, Pakistan remain adamant about hosting the event fully and not succumbing to a hybrid model. Reports have also suggested Pakistan will likely approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after India's stance.

Speaking to IANS on this issue, Kaneria said, as quoted by News18:

"The issue was ongoing for long that India will not travel to Pakistan for political and other reasons. They have an option of the hybrid model as they did in the Asia Cup but things should be settled as Pakistan travelled to India for ODI World Cup last year. If Pakistan go to the international court (CAS) what will they achieve out of it? There’s always the uncertainty of security in Pakistan. International teams are coming but security concerns are much higher with the Indian team."

India have not played an international game in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup and their last full tour of the country was way back in 2005/06.

"India should play their matches in Dubai and Pakistan continue to host the Champions Trophy in the country" - Danish Kaneria

Danish Kaneria feels the hybrid model should be utilized for the 2025 Champions Trophy with India playing their games in Dubai. The hybrid model was used for the 2023 Asia Cup, originally scheduled in Pakistan, with India eventually playing their games in Sri Lanka.

"Looking at the big picture, India should play their matches in Dubai and Pakistan continue to host the Champions Trophy in the country. Things will only go downhill in this situation but Pakistan have nothing to lose as they did the same last time and also sent their team to India for World Cup. PCB is adamant this time and says many fans in Pakistan want to see Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja play in Pakistan," said Kaneria (as per the aforementioned source).

He concluded:

"It will interesting to see how PCB will move ahead with the Champions Trophy from here; will they play on the front foot and stay bold in their stand? I think things should be done swiftly with delegations of both boards interacting in person to find the desirable outcome."

While India and Pakistan have met in ICC events and Asia Cups, their last bilateral series came when Pakistan toured India in 2012/13.

Meanwhile, the Champions Trophy will be played for the first time next year since 2017 when Pakistan defeated India in the final.