ICC Champions Trophy 2025: ‘Will miss playing in India’

Inauguration of Pakistan Fakhar Zaman has an old connection with the Champions Trophy. The left-hander made a name for himself in international cricket through the edition of this tournament played in 2017 when he helped Pakistan win a historic title.

Eight years later, Zaman is back in the mix for the Champions Trophy, but his place in the squad is yet to be confirmed. The Champions Trophy 2025 has faced many controversies which were mainly based on India’s tour of Pakistan.

With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirming that India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the tournament, Fakhar Zaman is disappointed yet excited to face them in Dubai.

Read also: BCCI takes a tough step and new ban imposed on Indian cricketers

Fakhar Zaman talks about India not traveling to Pakistan

While talking to Sports Tak, Fakhar Zaman was asked about India’s refusal to visit Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025. He claimed that the Indian team would have received an even bigger welcome than the one they received Pakistan when they traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

“If India had come to Pakistan, we would have given them an even bigger welcome and hospitality, but they are not coming. That’s fine, but we are excited to play against them in Dubai,” Fakhar said.

Pakistan traveled to India for the ODI World Cup in 2023 when they played most of their matches in Hyderabad. Of all the venues, Pakistan played only in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata.

They had a disappointing tournament and finished fifth in the points table. They even lost to Afghanistan in what turned out to be a shock result. As a result, the Men in Green did not qualify for the semi-finals.

We will miss playing for India – Fakhar Zaman

While speaking on the same platform, Fakhar Zaman admitted that he will miss playing on Indian soil as the team enjoyed a good spell in the country during the World Cup 2023. He was also pleased with the kind of support he received in India during the tournament.

“Yes, we will definitely miss (playing in India) as we had a lot of fun during our visit for the ODI World Cup 2023. We are delighted with the kind of support and hospitality we received,” he add Zaman.

According to the latest agreement between the ICC, BCCI and PCB, India and Pakistan will not have to travel to each other’s country for ICC events in the current cycle. While the other teams will play their matches in the host country, India and Pakistan will play their matches through a hybrid model in any other country.

Will Fakhar Zaman be selected in Pakistan Champions Trophy squad?

India and Pakistan are the only two teams in the Champions Trophy who have not announced their final squads so far. Pakistan are believed to have unveiled their preliminary squad but will whittle down the squad to 15 players on February 10.

Fakhar Zaman is in line for selection for the Champions Trophy despite not having played an ODI since the ODI World Cup 2023. Zaman was dropped earlier from Pakistan’s ODI squad for Australia tour after criticizing the PCB’s decision to quit Babar Azam.

Pakistan will open their campaign against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. The Men in Green will face arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai. They will face Bangladesh in their final group match on February 27 in Rawalpindi.