Consider the UAE for India’s Champions Trophy matches and save cricket and the event

By K.R. Nayar

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reiterated that the Champions Trophy 2025 will be held entirely in Pakistan as allotted to them. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declared that they will not play in Pakistan. These are two cricket boards whose foundations are rooted in the love of cricket. If both take a stubborn stance, it is the cricket fans who will suffer. The cricketing world will miss the much-anticipated India-Pakistan matches, which adds unmatched excitement to any tournament.

 



The UAE has hosted international and league matches both for India and Pakistan during times when both boards faced challenges in hosting events in their own countries. Fans turned out in large numbers in the UAE, ensuring the success of these events. The UAE has played a vital role in ensuring that cricket continues, even in the face of obstacles.

 

It will do good for every cricket fan to remember that the decisions made by both boards regarding the Champions Trophy are political. It is crucial for these boards to rise above these issues and keep in mind that their primary objective is to ensure the success of cricket. The question is not about which board is being stubborn but whether the Champions Trophy can be held in all its glory. Pakistan has previously described the UAE as their "home away from home" while hosting their international matches here. Then why not adopt the same approach for the Champions Trophy?

 


It is well-known that cricket fans both in India and Pakistan are passionate about the game. They look forward to high-quality matches with all nations participating in the Champions Trophy. Debating which country is right or wrong is futile, as such discussions will persist as long as tensions between the two nations remain unresolved. 

 

Among the most memorable series’ I have reported on are India’s tour to Pakistan and Pakistan’s tour to India—made possible only because both governments made those decisions at that time. Both boards are also aware that such cooperation is only achievable with governmental intervention.

 


If cricket truly lies at the heart of both boards, they must ensure that the sport is not hindered under any circumstances. In the event of disagreements, the best neutral venue to host the Champions Trophy is the UAE. It is a country with a significant Pakistani and Indian population, and if the decision to play in the UAE is not considered, it will mean denying millions of fans a high quality tournament.

 

Since the political differences between these two nations are deep-rooted, there is no certainty of resolution in the near future. Just as India and Pakistan played in the UAE during challenging times in the past, the same solution can be applied to the Champions Trophy. Both nations will stand to lose if they remain inflexible. Whoever blinks first will be remembered as the true champion of cricket, preserving the spirit and prestige of the Champions Trophy.

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