Champions Trophy 2025: India gives a tight slap to Pakistan, refuses to travel across the border | Opinion

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This is one tight slap which India needed to give to Pakistan, refuse to play cricket in the Champions Trophy across the border in 2025. On Friday, the BCCI (Indian Cricket Board) wrote to the Pakistan Cricket Board they would not send the team at any cost.

Suggestions given by India are play at a neutral venue, which will be similar to the Asia Cup in the past, where India have played matches in the off-shore venues in the deserts of the United Arab Emirates.

In true Pakistani style, the PCB is in denial of receiving such a letter. The PCB boss Mohsin Naqvi has spoken to the media in Pakistan they will take it up with the Government. He knows well, nothing will change.

When Cabinet Minister for External Affairs, S. Jaishankar travelled to Pakistan for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) meeting in October, the Pak media had done plenty of kite flying. India had spoken to counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar. Cricket, but, certainly, cricket was not discussed. The same had been reported by mykhel as well.

The rabid fans across the border are desperate to see the Indian cricketers. The fan base for Virat Kohli is massive, but India is clear, cricket in a country which is a terror factory is impossible. That is the message New Delhi has conveyed to Islamabad through the BCCI, in a veiled manner.

It is well known India's cricketers have not travelled across the border for ages. Certain sports like tennis and lesser games have seen Indian teams travel. Cricket being cricket and so much prestige attached to it, the Indian team was never going to travel to Pakistan.

The way Pakistan treats its own former captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan tells a story in itself. So, how did Pakistan think India will soft-pedal and play cricket in Lahore.

The way security skirmishes have been taking place in the Valley, Pakistan has not changed its approach. And after a new government headed by Omar Abdullah was sworn in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists have entered even Srinagar recently and met their fate. It was the alertness of the Indian security force that constantly take on the terrorists and finish them.

Social media across Pakistan wants India to come over. At the same time, Indian cricket fans do not want the Men In Blue to visit Pakistan at any cost. Pakistan is a state in denial and full of lies, India has used its muscle power to say 'no.'

The good part is, Pakistan will realise even though Jay Shah is set to become ICC chairman soon, matters will not change. The decision to refuse sport in Pakistan has been taken at the highest level. And it is a good one.

For its part, the PCB has been helpless in dealing with the cricket crisis. They are feeling miserable India has so much to offer to the world through the IPL and Pakistanis are not allowed. Worse, to be snubbed repeatedly is a sign India is firm in conveying to Pakistan, terror and sport cannot happen together.

India last played Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup in New York. At that time, too, it generated huge interest. Neutral venues are the only way out, given that the bilateral series between India and Pakistan ceased ages ago.