Pakistan cricket legend criticizes BCCI and ICC for India's refusal to tour Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025, calls it a farce.

Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad expressed his frustration over the ongoing controversy surrounding India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy, calling the situation a “joke.” He stated that despite the absence of India-Pakistan matches, Pakistan cricket will continue to flourish. Miandad’s remarks came in light of reports suggesting that India has declined to visit the neighboring country.

On Sunday, November 10, the Pakistan Cricket Board was reportedly informed by the International Cricket Council about India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

Following the development, several Pakistan cricketers criticized the BCCI for its ongoing refusal to travel to Pakistan, despite previous reassurances.

“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,” Miandad was quoted as saying by PTI.

“I would like to see how the ICC events earn money when there are no Pakistan and India matches,” the former Pakistan captain said.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi initiated discussions with senior government officials on Sunday to determine the next steps after the ICC informed the PCB of India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed receiving an email from the ICC about India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the marquee tournament, despite Naqvi having previously rejected the ‘Hybrid Model’.

Last year, when Pakistan was the official host for the Asia Cup, India declined to travel, leading the Asian Cricket Council to implement a hybrid model. Under this arrangement, India’s matches, along with several others including the knockouts, were played in Sri Lanka.

According to a report by PTI, a Pakistan Cricket Board official expressed disappointment over India’s stance, despite Pakistan assuring full-scale security for the visiting team during the ICC showpiece.