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No IND vs PAK Bilateral Cricket Talks During Jaishankar’s Islamabad Visit: Reports

IND vs PAK bilateral cricket has been on hold for over a decade [Source: @ShekharCBiswas/x.com]IND vs PAK bilateral cricket has been on hold for over a decade [Source: @ShekharCBiswas/x.com]

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent visit to Islamabad marked a historic moment as he attended the 23rd Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. However, those hoping for a glimmer of discussion on the resumption of India-Pakistan cricket ties were left high and dry.

Jaishankar’s Visit to Islamabad Concludes Without Mention of Cricket

According to inside sources, there was no mention, let alone debate, over reviving bilateral cricket between the two nations, despite this being a much-anticipated hope for sports enthusiasts across both sides of the border.

Cricket Diplomacy on Ice Since 2008

The last time India and Pakistan cricketers faced each other on Pakistani soil dates back to the 2008 Asia Cup. Since then, the two countries have kept their cricket battles strictly confined to ICC events and Asia Cups, with their rivalry barely surviving through the occasional clash in these tournaments.

Ties went cold after a brief series in India in late 2012, and with diplomatic relations still tense due to security concerns, neither side appears keen to change this status quo.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has made efforts to host international games, with India notably absent. Since 2008, Pakistan has travelled to India three times, but the reverse has not occurred. The hostile diplomatic climate, exacerbated by terrorism-related issues, has put any potential bilateral series out of reach for the foreseeable future.

Champions Trophy 2025 Caught in Uncertainty

As Pakistan gears up to host the Champions Trophy 2025, doubts loom large over India’s participation in the tournament on Pakistani soil. The Champions Trophy would mark Pakistan's first ICC-hosted event since the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted alongside India and Sri Lanka. But India’s potential involvement in Pakistan is a question hanging by a thread, with security concerns casting a long shadow.

Recently, the ICC has reportedly proposed three options to ensure smooth conduct for the Champions Trophy while balancing both nations' security needs.

First on the table is the original plan of hosting the tournament solely in Pakistan. Another potential solution involves a hybrid model, allowing Pakistan to host some matches, while games involving India and the knockout rounds would take place in Dubai.

Lastly, the ICC is considering hosting the entire event outside Pakistan, with Dubai, Sri Lanka, and South Africa named as possible alternatives.

Pakistan’s Long Wait for ICC Events Remains in Limbo

Pakistan has been starved of hosting privileges for ICC tournaments since the ill-fated 2009 terrorist attack on a Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, which led to the withdrawal of its co-hosting rights for the 2011 ODI World Cup.

Over a decade later, Pakistan’s hope for a marquee tournament on home soil is at stake yet again. Hosting the Champions Trophy could be a game-changer for Pakistan cricket, providing an opportunity to showcase its venues and security improvements. However, with the political frost refusing to thaw between India and Pakistan, the tournament’s fate hangs in the balance.