'I don't see them...': PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi sends strong message to India amid doubts on Pakistan trip for Champions Trophy

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Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has assured that the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will indeed take place in Pakistan.

Cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi are set to host the event. The tournament is set to kick off on February 19 with the finale planned for March 9.

Naqvi strongly believes that all participating teams, including India, despite the longstanding political tensions hindering bilateral cricket ties since July 2008, will compete in the tournament.

"The Indian team should come. I don't see them cancel or postpone coming here and we are confident we will host all the teams in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan," Naqvi stated, showcasing his optimism about India's participation.

Naqvi underscored that Pakistan is well on its way to ensuring everything is in place for the prestigious tournament. He mentioned that the venues are being prepared diligently to welcome all teams, highlighting that the stadiums will be ready to accommodate the matches as per the schedule.

"The stadiums will also be ready to host the matches on schedule and any remaining work would be completed after the tournament," he confirmed, indicating that the infrastructure would "definitely" be in prime condition by February-March.

In the midst of preparations for the Champions Trophy, discussions about the Pakistan cricket team's leadership have surfaced following Babar Azam's decision to step down as captain. When questioned about Azam's resignation and his potential successor, Naqvi revealed that he has instructed the selection committee to deliberate carefully before reaching a long-term decision regarding the new captain.

Additionally, Naqvi addressed inquiries about potential changes to the team composition, particularly the introduction of new talent. He consulted with the selection committee, including the team captain and head coach, to ascertain if there was a need to bring new blood into the national side. Based on their feedback, it appears that the current setup is satisfactory.

"They said they are okay with the current set-up of players so I told them 'fine, it is your call'," Naqvi concluded.