Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan to adopt tit-for-tat stance on sporting ties with India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Sunday thumped Australia in the third and final ODI and also decided to adopt a firm stance on sporting relations with India after the Indian government’s ‘refusal’ to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Cricket-lovers in the country received the good news as Pakistan’s cricket team won the third and final ODI to win the three-match series, the first win by the Green Shirts on Australian soil in 22 years, with the last 50-over series win coming back in 2002.

Chasing Australia’s modest 141-run target, the Men in Green eased past the victory line in 26.5 overs to bag an eight-wicket win in the series decider.

Securing their first ODI series victory in Australia in over a decade, an unchanged Pakistan restricted the hosts to 140 in 31.5 overs before mowing down the total by scoring 143-2. Underscoring the diminished standing of the 50-over format, Australia chose to rest their red-ball players for the decider as preparations ramp up for a blockbuster five-test series against India beginning November 22.

During Sunday’s match, Pakistani fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah led the way, picking up three wickets apiece during a showcase of swing and pace which accounted for Jake Fraser-McGurk (7) and Aaron Hardie (12) in the first powerplay.

Josh Inglis, in his captaincy debut, departed for seven after skying Naseem to keeper Mohammad Rizwan in the 11th over and opener Matt Short (22) soon followed, caught at square-leg attempting to pull in-form quick Haris Rauf (2-24).

It went from bad to worse for the hosts when a nasty blow from seamer Mohammad Hasnain to the left hand of Cooper Connolly forced the 21-year-old to retire hurt on seven and leave the venue for scans.

A jubilant Rauf found the edge of Glenn Maxwell on zero, leaving Australia reeling at 79-5.

No spin was used as the Pakistan seamers maintained the pressure and mopped up the tail. Sean Abbott top-scored with 30.

In reply, Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) half-centuries, played with fluency and controlled aggression during an 84-run opening stand.

Local speedster Lance Morris (2-24) sent both set batsmen packing in the 18th over to give the Perth crowd something to cheer about, leaving Rizwan (30*) and Babar Azam (28*) to seal the result.

Expressing his views on the historic win, Rizwan — who was leading the side in his first series as the team’s skipper — said: “This is a very special moment for me.”

“It is not easy to beat Australia in Australia,” remarked the captain.

Meanwhile, in response to the Indian government’s “refusal” to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the government in Islamabad has decided to adopt a firm stance on sporting relations with India.

Sources within the government confirmed that Pakistan was prepared to withdraw from playing India in any international event, including the World Cup, unless it reciprocates by visiting Pakistan.

This decision indicated a significant shift in Pakistan’s approach to cross-border sports diplomacy, signaling a growing resolve to address what Islamabad sees as New Delhi politicising sports.

The government has also decided to lobby against India’s bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. The sources also indicated that Pakistan plans to formally communicate to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) how India has allowed political issues to overshadow sporting competitions, particularly in cricket.

According to the insiders, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) received a communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC) indicating that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) formally notified them of the Indian government’s decision to bar its team from travelling to Pakistan.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has received an email from the ICC, stating that the Indian board has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025,” PCB spokesman Samiul Hasan told AFP. “The PCB has forwarded that email to the government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance,” Hasan added.

Sources added that Pakistan’s government is fully aware of the development and is ready to adopt a tough policy. “We will not participate in any event against India unless they agree to play in Pakistan.”

Moreover, the government has also decided to tell the PCB to reject any hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. “Pakistan will not play any Champions Trophy matches outside of Pakistan,” the source confirmed.

The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in February-March next year, and the PCB has already clarified it will not accept a hybrid format for hosting the event.

The government has also signaled to the PCB to remain uncompromising on this matter, even if it leads to financial consequences. “Pakistan may consider any option on matters related to the ICC Champions Trophy entirely if necessary,” the sources added.

“If India’s participation contributes to ICC’s revenue, the PCB’s role is equally crucial, and without Pakistan-India matches, the ICC revenues would suffer significantly.”

In a decisive move, the government announced it would withdraw all administrative and financial support for the event if the ICC considers altering the original format that allows Pakistan to host the tournament entirely.

A senior government official emphasized that if the ICC decides on a hybrid format or retracts hosting rights from Pakistan, Pakistan’s team would not participate. “No support will be extended to any Champions Trophy format that doesn’t guarantee the event is fully hosted in Pakistan. This is Pakistan’s right, and we won’t allow any board to undermine it. If the ICC doesn’t stand by the original hosting schedule, we will not issue NOCs for the team’s participation,” he added.

In an official communique on Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informed the government that the BCCI had notified the ICC that India’s team would not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 tournament. This notification prompted Islamabad to announce its future course of action, including a likely ban on Pakistan’s participation in any events hosted by India, under either the ICC or ACC banners, until there was a change in India’s stance on playing in Pakistan.

The government relayed its firm position to all relevant authorities, emphasizing there would be no leniency regarding Pakistan’s right to host the tournament. “We are fully committed to ensuring that all matches of the Champions Trophy occur in Pakistan. If the ICC deviates from this plan, we will withdraw any support for partial hosting,” a government official stated. Pakistan’s major venues – Gaddafi Stadium, National Stadium and Pindi Stadium – are nearing completion of extensive upgrades in preparation for the event. The government’s unwavering position has left the ICC with little choice but to host the entire tournament in Pakistan, even if India opts to stay out. This could open an opportunity for Sri Lanka, who narrowly missed a spot in the top eight teams, to participate in place of India. India’s decision will likely have a lasting impact on future ICC and ACC tournaments, with Pakistan expected to opt out of events scheduled to be hosted by India, including the 2025 Asia Cup, the Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup. The lines have now been firmly drawn – Pakistan has made it clear that it would prioritise national interests in future cricketing engagements.