NEW DELHI: India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy became a huge talking point in the cricketing world and drew reactions from all quarters. Former England captain Michael Vaughan also voiced his concerns on the matter saying the relations between the two nations are going to get worse.
“India have obviously announced that they would not be playing in Pakistan, looks like they’re going to play in Dubai. I do think that India is not going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, I think that relationship now could be an off-image, it has not been great for a long time and I think it is going to get worse. Potentially we might not see India play Pakistan for a long long time,” Vaughan said on Club Prairie Fire Podcast.
Vaughan also advocated for the resumption of Test cricket between India and Pakistan, noting that both teams have a massive fan base and that the series would be a tremendous success.
“It is a one thing I would really love to see in Test match cricket. India vs Pakistan, if you can’t play it on your own backyard, play it here in Australia, we’ll host it in the UK,” said Vaughan.
“There are so many supporters in the world that idolises India and Pakistan, that series would be a huge success, wherever you play. It’s sad that India would not be going to Pakistan, it is going to affect the game,” he added.
The PCB has now requested clarification from the ICC after India’s decision not to travel across the border for next year’s Champions Trophy.
India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to strained political relations between the neighboring countries, with their encounters limited to global multi-team tournaments.
Last year, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup, but India, under a “hybrid model,” played all their matches in Sri Lanka.
The PCB has ruled out a similar arrangement for the Feb. 19-March 9 Champions Trophy despite the BCCI maintaining its stance of not sending a team to Pakistan citing government advice.