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Pakistan’s former players have expressed their relief after the ICC reached a breakthrough in the Champions Trophy impasse with India playing all its matches of the mega event at a neutral venue instead of host country under a reciprocal arrangement. In return, Pakistan will also play all its games in ICC events hosted by India at a neutral venue until the ongoing cycle ends in 2027. The deadlock over the hosting of next year’s Champions Trophy finally ended on Thursday.

“I think the PCB took the sensible approach and instead of doing something rash and facing isolation in the ICC and among other cricket nations, it opted for a solution where I think the PCB has gained more than the BCCI,” said the legendary Javed Miandad.

He added that he was earlier hoping that India would agree to play their matches in Pakistan.

“Still Pakistan is hosting a big event after a very long time and we have sent a clear message that if you don’t come and play in our country, we will also not play in India,” Miandad said.

The arrangement will apply to the Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), next year’s women’s Cricket World Cup in India and the T20 World Cup in 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the event scheduled in February-March due to security concerns. India have not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Former captain Wasim Bari said, “I can only imagine the warm welcome and hospitality their players and fans would get in Pakistan.” Moin Khan, another former Pakistan skipper, too seemed glad with the solution.

“If the PCB has been able to also get another ICC event to host it is good news for Pakistan cricket,” Moin said.

Former Pakistan spinner Iqbal Qasim has praised the PCB for getting the ICC, BCCI and the ICC board to agree on a compromise formula.

“BCCI is a very strong and financially influential board. But unlike last year’s Asia Cup, this time our board took a stance, and gained something. Main thing is we are hosting the tournament and will also not go to India now to play in ICC events. Both teams will now play at neutral venues.” 

Legendary Pakistan cricket team captain Javed Miandad was left fuming by India’s decision to not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. There was a lot of chatter surrounding India’s decision but the International Cricket Council (ICC) informed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday that India were not willing to travel to Pakistan. Earlier, India suggested a ‘hybrid’ solution that involved them playing their games in Dubai but it was rejected by Pakistan. Miandad said that even without playing India, Pakistan cricket will prosper and pointed out that if the two teams stop playing each other completely, it will be a massive blow to the popularity and viewership of the ICC tournaments.

“It is a joke that this is happening. Even if we don’t play India at all, Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper as well as we have shown in the past. I would like to see how the ICC events earn money when there are no Pakistan and India matches,” Miandad was quoted as saying by PTI.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday initiated talks with senior government officials to discuss future course of action after ICC conveyed to PCB about India’s unwillingness to tour the country for next year’s Champions Trophy.

The PCB confirmed that it received an e-mail from the ICC regarding India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the marquee tournament, even as Naqvi had earlier turned down a ‘Hybrid Model’.

“Mohsin Naqvi, who is the federal interior minister, is in touch with government officials and the wait is now on what directives the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif gives,” a PCB official said.

The official expressed his disappointment over India’s stand despite Pakistan promising full-scale security for the visitors during the ICC showpiece.

“It’s unacceptable as there is no logical reason for India to again refuse to send its team to Pakistan.

“Preparations for the event are on schedule and we have already assured the ICC of all the best security arrangements for all teams including India,” the official said.

The official conceded that Pakistan will suffer financial losses if a strong stance is taken on boycotting all matches against India but he added that they are prepared for such a situation.

Meanwhile, speculations have been rife in Pakistan that the country’s government is likely to direct the PCB to stop playing India in any ICC or other multi-team events starting with the Champions Trophy until the Indian government changes its policy.

It has also been reported that Pakistan might take up the matter of India mixing politics with sports with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if they decide to boycott all potential encounters with the neighbours in any sport in future.

(With PTI inputs)

Former India cricketer-turned-pundit Sanjay Manjrekar singled out India batter Sarfaraz Khan for special praise, following Day 3 of the first Test between India and New Zealand. Sarfaraz scored his half-century in more than a run-a-ball and then ended the day unbeaten on 70 off 78 balls. Manjrekar reserved high praise for him, comparing him to legendary Pakistani batter Javed Miandad. Manjrekar hailed Sarfaraz’s approach in batting, be it to play offensively or defensively, and likened him to a ‘2024 version of Javed Miandad’.

On Day 4, Sarfaraz Khan slammed his maiden Test ton in just 110 balls.

“Sarfaraz reminds me of a Javed Miandad of the 1980s but this is a 2024 version of a Javed Miandad,” said Manjrekar, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s YouTube channel.

“Really impressed with the way he played. We know he plays spin well but I liked the way he played fast bowlers,” Manjrekar continued.

Miandad boasts more than 16,000 international runs for Pakistan across Tests and ODIs, with a particularly impressive Test average of 52.57, meaning it is high praise from Manjrekar for Sarfaraz.

Sarfaraz endured a tough start to the Test as he was out for a duck in India’s collapse to 46 all out. However, having replaced the injured Shubman Gill in the side, Sarfaraz impressed in the second innings as India attempted to bounce back.

Manjrekar praised Sarfaraz’s game awareness, particularly towards the end of the day.

“Towards the end of the day’s play, he was looking to play defensively and wanting bad light when there was actually bright light. I loved the way he was ducking to bouncers, just trying to play the day out so he has that game as well and that augurs well for India and Sarfaraz Khan for Australia because he has shown that element of batting as well,” Manjrekar further said.

Sarfaraz stitched a 136-run partnership with Virat Kohli in the second innings, before the latter departed on the final ball of Day 3.

Several Pakistan cricket greats such as Wasim Akram and Javed Miandad praised Indian stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for timing their retirement to perfection following the team’s triumph in the just-concluded T20 World Cup. India outwitted South Africa by seven runs in a topsy-turvy final at Barbados to lift their second T20 world title. “I have always been a fan of Rohit’s batting and try to follow him when matches are on TV. Kohli’s greatness is there for all to see his records speak for itself but Rohit I am happy that he could win the World Cup for his country,” yesteryear’s batting stalwart Zaheer Abbas said.

Javed Miandad, one of Pakistan’s greatest batters, said both the stalwarts had taken retirement at the right time.

“We will still see them in Test and 50-overs cricket but it is befitting for their career that they left T20 internationals in glory,” Miandad said.

He said both the players remained role models for any cricketing system.

“The discipline and professionalism and fitness of Kohli makes him a top role model to follow and his admirers will be as good as him as well,” he said.

Legendary pacer Waqar Younis said both Rohit and Kohli stood up for India in crunch situations and won matches for their country.

He also praised Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling throughout the World Cup and said he had become a pure match winner for India.

Rashid Latif said the credit of India’s success and the fact that they made three finals of the ICC events in the last one year suggested that their team management was in sync with the players.

“Rahul Dravid and his support team deserve a lot of credit for what India has achieved today. He has given a clear pathway to the Indian team and to the players,” Latif said.

Shahid Afridi said Rohit was an exceptional leader and Kohli had always been a big match performer.

“Both Rohit and Kohli have done the right thing to retire on a high after leading India to the World Cup title.” Mohsin Hasan Khan, the former Test batter, head coach and chief selector felt that Rohit and Kohli had set a very good example for young players.

“This is how you retire from any format in glory.” He said India now had the back-up talent in T20 cricket to fill in the gaps left by the retirements of Rohit and Kohli.

“But I am very impressed by the hunger of these two senior players, particularly the way Rohit led the side to finally win a World Cup.” Rohit’s five centuries in T20Is are unmatched and he now has two T20 World Cup titles, taking him to a league of his own.

Pakistan’s former players are not expecting the team to do well in the T20 World Cup starting in the Americas from Saturday. Pakistan lost a T20I in Ireland and then suffered a 0-2 defeat in England this week, not the ideal result before a global event. Before that, they drew 2-2 at home with a New Zealand side that was missing many of its World Cup squad members. “They are not getting their combination right, which is their biggest problem,” former captain Rashid Latif said.

He feels Pakistan need to not only shuffle their batting but make more use of their spinners.

“Not only shuffle, but players need to be prepared to play at floating roles now in T20 cricket as per the match situation,” he added.

The legendary Javed Miandad is banking on the unpredictability factor.

“They are unpredictable and always seem to do well in these T20 World Cups. But yes, they need to definitely improve in some areas quickly because, with a 20-team event, you can’t afford to relax even in one game,” he said.

Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam said in his post-match conference at the Oval that although it was disappointing to lose the series to England, the World Cup will be a different challenge.

“We have capable (and) talented players, and we will come good in the World Cup,” he said.

Many cricket fans are not happy with the selection or performance of Azam Khan, who was dismissed cheaply at the Oval and dropped two catches.

Azam, who has followed in the footsteps of his father, Moin Khan, as a wicketkeeper-batter, has been trolled mercilessly on social media since Thursday.

But it is not just Azam who has been a disappointment. All-rounder Shadab Khan has also been struggling for runs, as has Iftikhar Ahmed, who has failed to make any impact while batting down the order.

The bowlers also have been having too many of -days, with pacer Naseem Shah going for 25 in an over in the power play at The Oval, while Mohammad Amir conceded 28 in two overs.

Some officials in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are worried that if the team doesn’t reach the World Cup semi-finals, the fan base will take a big hit, which would not help the board in its preparations for the Champions Trophy next year.

“If the team does not perform well, it is no secret it has a big effect on the number of sponsors and broadcasters lining up to invest in Pakistan cricket,” an official said.

“I think Babar just needs to bat at number three, and they should make Saim (Ayub) or Fakhar (Zaman) open with Mohammad Rizwan,” suggested former player Basit Ali. PTI Corr AYG AH AH

File photo of Pakistan cricket team skipper Babar Azam© AFP