Former cricketer and 1983 World Cup winning star Madan Lal has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider moving the 2025 Champions Trophy from Pakistan. Madan Lal’s statement came amid intense political unrest in Pakistan ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in Islamabad.
The situation in Pakistan looks uneasy, with the country facing significant unrest. Security forces attacked supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The protests are part of a wider campaign by PTI supporters to demand the release of Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August.
Sri Lanka A leave Pakistan incomplete due to political protests
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced the postponement of the last two 50-over matches between Pakistan Falcons and Sri Lanka A following consultations with Sri Lanka Cricket. These matches are scheduled for Wednesday and Friday. Pakistan Falcons won the first game by 108 runs.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board, in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket, has postponed the last two 50-over matches of the Pakistan Shaheens-Sri Lanka ‘A’ series due to political activity in the federal capital. The last two matches were scheduled to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday and Friday. Both the boards will collaborate to finalize the new dates to complete the series,” the PCB said in a statement.
The decision to postpone the remaining ODI matches between Pakistan Shaheens and Sri Lanka A was taken to ensure the safety of the Sri Lankan players. The move is a setback for Pakistan, especially with the ICC 50 over scheduled to be held in the country in February-March next year.
How Pakistan can win the Champions Trophy – Madan Lal
Amid the political turmoil in Pakistan, Madan Lal took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his concerns about the Champions Trophy 2025. He questioned how Pakistan could host the tournament when the country was in such an unstable state.
“How can Pakistan have a champions trophy when your country is on fire. It is better for Pakistan to play away than earn money for cricket. At some point your ego kills you,” Madan Lal wrote.
How can Pakistan have a champion trophy when your country is burning. Pakistan better earn money for cricket. At some point the ego kills you.
— Madan Lal (@MadanLal1983) November 27, 2024
The Champions Cup will be played from February 19 to March 9
The 2025 Champions Trophy was to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. However, the future of the tournament is uncertain after India’s refusal to tour Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to play a hybrid model with its matches outside Pakistan.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board insists that all matches be played in the country. The PCB has renovated stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi in preparation for the tournament. It should be noted that India did not visit Pakistan after the 2008 Asia Cup after the Mumbai terror attacks.
The upcoming tournament will be Pakistan’s first ICC event since co-hosting the ODI World Cup in 1996. It should be noted that PCB has threatened to boycott future ICC events against India if BCCI refuses to send a team to Pakistan.
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