"Potentially we might not see India play Pakistan for a long long time"- Michael Vaughan on 2025 Champions Trophy fiasco

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the India-Pakistan relationship will only get worse amidst the recent 2025 Champions Trophy scheduling fiasco. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed to the ICC that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan, where the tournament is scheduled to be played, citing security reasons.

Yet, recent reports suggest Pakistan is unwilling to accept a hybrid model and wants to host the entire Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now seeking advice from their government on the way forward.

Speaking about the ongoing debacle on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast, Vaughan said as quoted by Hindustan Times:

"India have obviously announced that they would not be playing in Pakistan, looks like they're going to play in Dubai. I do think by India not going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, I think that relationship now could be an off-image, it has not been great for a long time and I think it is going to get worse. Potentially we might not see India play Pakistan for a long long time."

There was a similar scheduling issue between India and Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup that was set to be played in Pakistan. However, the former won out on that occasion with the tournament being played in a hybrid model and India playing their games in Sri Lanka.

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"If you can't play it on your own backyard, play it here in Australia, we'll host it in the UK" - Michael Vaughan

Sachin Tendulkar In action during the India-Pakistan Cricket test Match in Mohali - Source: Getty

Michael Vaughan talked about several cricket lovers around the world wanting India-Pakistan Tests and even wished the sides would play each other in Australia or England.

India last played an international match in Pakistan in the 2008 Asia Cup and the two teams haven't met in a Test match since Pakistan's 2007/08 tour of India.

"It is the one thing I would really love to see in Test match cricket. India vs Pakistan, if you can't play it on your own backyard, play it here in Australia, we'll host it in the UK. There are so many supporters in the world that idolises India and Pakistan, that series would be a huge success, wherever you play. Its sad that India would not be going to Pakistan, it is going to affect the game," said Vaughan.

India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series when Pakistan toured India for two T20Is and three ODIs in 2012-13.

The two teams recently met in the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York with India coming out on top by six runs.