India's senior sports journalist, Vikrant Gupta, has provided a strange reason to justify the Indian team's non-commission to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

 

Gupta, while speaking on the social media platform of an Indian cricket website, linked the Indian team's decision not to travel to Pakistan to the visit of religious scholar Zakir Naik and his warm welcome.

 

Talking about Dr Zakir Naik's visit, Gupta said, "The Pakistani government welcomed Zakir Naik warmly and gave him the status of a state guest. By doing so, Pakistan shot itself in the foot. I would say that Pakistan will have to choose between Zakir Naik or the Champions Trophy."

 

He also stated that "India has given Pakistan a list of terrorist organisations and individuals. If they had taken action against them, perhaps our government would have agreed to send its team."

 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has asserted that the Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan, and if India has reservations, they should address them with us.

 

Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send its team to Pakistan for the next Champions Trophy, as per Indian media.

 

The Indian board has reportedly decided to reverse its decision to send the Indian team to Pakistan, as confirmed by the Indian Express. Pakistan has been informed of this decision. The BCCI has expressed concerns regarding security about playing in Pakistan and prefers neutral venues, with Dubai being the top choice.

 

Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi, however, has claimed not to have received any letter from BCCI, adding that “the Indian board has not said anything in writing so far, there has been no discussion on the hybrid model and there will be no discussion."

 

Earlier, there were reports that the Indian Cricket Board agreed to send the team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, but India refused and wanted to conduct the tournament under a hybrid model.

 

Other teams, however, have confirmed they will send their teams to Pakistan for the event.

 

The Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with matches to be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.