Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has commented on India’s participation in the Champions Trophy after ICC informed PCB that India will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
The Pakistan white ball captain Mohammad Rizwan made a heartfelt message for Indian players KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav urging them to tour Pakistan with Indian squad for the champions Trophy.
Rizwan’s comment came amid the ongoing chaos among the tournament and made request ot Indian players while addressing the media at Gabba in Brisbane ahead of the start of the three match T20I series against Australia, as he sounded hopeful of a quick resolve of the ongoing situation.
“KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav are all welcome. All the players who will come, we will welcome them. This is not our decision, this is PCB’s decision. Whatever decision will take place, hopefully they will all discuss and take the right call. But we are hopeful that if the Indian players will come, we will welcome them,” Rizwan said.
Earlier this week, ICC informed PCB that India would not to travel Pakistan for Champions Trophy. PCB then consulted the Pakistan government in a bid to take firm action against India’s stance, with reports hinting that they might even withdraw from the tournament as well.
“If India’s participation contributes to the ICC’s revenue, the PCB’s role is equally crucial, and without Pakistan-India matches, ICC revenues would suffer significantly,” said a sources.
Rather the BCCI has requested ICC to adapt the hybrid model, which had worked successfully during the Asia Cup last year, where Pakistan were the hosts, but India’s matches were played in Sri Lanka.
While the idea of Dubai was floated for India’s matches during the Champions Trophy, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi quashed the possiblity.
Meanwhile, a report has revealed that South Africa is being considered as a viable alternative to organise the next year’s Champions Trophy.
Suryakumar was recently confronted by a Pakistan fan in South Africa, who asked him “Mujhe ek baat bata saktein hai ke Pakistan kyu nahi aa rahe aap (Tell me why are you not coming to Pakistan)?”
“Arrey bhaiya, hamare hath mein thodi hai (Brother, it is not in our hands),” replied Suryakumar Yadav.
