Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his disappointment that Pakistani cricket fans are unlikely to see Indian stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play at home during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Speaking to an Indian news channel, Harbhajan acknowledged the passion of Pakistani fans and their desire to witness top international players in action.
“The situation in Pakistan is not good. Every team wants to go, but the situation there is not good. I feel very sad for the people of Pakistan because Virat Kohli and other legendary players will not be able to see them play on their field. The people there are not bad, but the situation is bad. You can’t stop the tournament and you have to move on because it’s impossible for Indian players to go, because you can’t trust the security there.
It is pertinent to mention here that the upcoming Champions Trophy is on hold following the BCCI’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan, while the PCB remains firm in its stance of opposing the hybrid model for the eight-team tournament.
However, in the latest turn of events, a new model called the “partnership formula” is being considered to end the impasse between the PCB and BCCI.
As per the new formula, Pakistan will also not play its matches in India during ICC events for the next three years. Dubai is most likely to be the neutral venue for both teams under the expected new deal.
India is scheduled to host three ICC events during this period, including the 2025 Women’s World Cup, co-hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka and the 2027 Champions Trophy.
Details were further disclosed that cricket’s apex body has advised the BCCI to accept the aforementioned model in a bid to avoid legal action from Pakistan and also to resolve the issue without a vote.
If the proposed formula is mutually agreed, there may be no need for a board meeting and cricket’s governing body will communicate the development to the board members.
