Champions Trophy 2025: 'Terrorism' and Cricket Can’t Coexist, S Jaishankar's statement at SCO kills artificial hopes of PCB

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There are plenty of Pakistani cricket lovers who freak out over Indian superstars like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. Latest, there was an artificial air of expectancy as well for them, what with the External Affairs Minister flying into Islamabad for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) conclave, which was chaired by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

As a career diplomat turned External Affairs Minister, Jaishankar was frank when on Wednesday he spoke on relevant and important topics.

"SCO's primary role of combatting terrorism, separatism and extremism is even more crucial in current times. It requires honest conversation, trust, good neighbourliness and reaffirming commitment to SCO charter. SCO needs to be firm and uncompromising in countering the three evils," he said.

Suave and blessed with good speaking skills, the EA Minister targeted Pakistan without taking their name when he said terrorism and trade cannot go hand in hand.

For cricket fans and Pakistan sports media which is almost pleading India travels across the border for the Champions Trophy, what Jaishankar spoke may have been shrill. Certainly, cricket was not on the agenda nor was this a one-on-one meeting with Pakistan.

There is significance as an External Affairs Minister from India travelling to Pakistan after almost a decade is perceived as important. But then, Jaishankar is the last person who would have given any hope on India travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy to be held from February 19 to March 9, 2025. This trip across the border was not at all for cricket

So, for the Pakistan Twitter (X) handles which love to create an artificial hype on cricket, there was nothing to play up today. If anything, they will be disappointed with the quick trip made by the Indian EA Minister and what he spoke. There has been intense speculation the Champions Trophy can be moved out of Pakistan as well.

For its part, the ICC is also keeping quiet, though they have been making trips to Pakistan. What purpose it serves, none knows. Then again, India's decision to travel to Pakistan for cricket is not something that the BCCI can decide. That will be a decision taken at the highest level. One trip made by a top minister from India to Pakistan has no bearing on India's stance.

It is well known that India versus Pakistan cricket ties happen only in ICC events or ACC events outside Pakistan in neutral zones. The recent ICC Women's World Cup in the UAE saw India huff and puff before defeating Pakistan before Harmanpreet Kaur and the team crashed out.

As regards Jay Shah taking over as the ICC chairman soon, even that is not going to improve any chance of India travelling to Pakistan to play cricket. The message from India to Pakistan is clear, terror and cricket cannot co-exist. Any number of untoward incidents have happened in India and the world knows who has done it. So, till such time as normalcy is restored, again without a deadline, India travelling to Pakistan for cricket is impossible.

As regards the Twitter handles across the border which focus on India playing in Pakistan, the Champions Trophy trip never existed in the first place. Maybe, after hearing EA Minister Jaishankar speak, it becomes even more certain this is not going to happen.