Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian cricketer, has advised that Team India should not travel to Pakistan for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy due to ongoing security concerns in the neighboring country. Harbhajan, speaking to IANS on Thursday, supported the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decision to seek government approval before confirming participation.
He emphasized that safety is a top priority, saying, “Why should the Indian team go to Pakistan? The safety situation there is concerning, with incidents happening almost daily. I believe it’s not safe for the team to go there. The BCCI’s stance is absolutely correct, and I support their decision.”
Pakistan has promised that all of India’s matches will be held in Lahore and that the team will stay in the same hotel throughout the tournament for added security. Additionally, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced plans to build a 5-star hotel next to the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. This new hotel aims to provide secure accommodation for teams and avoid the need for road closures.
Last year, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, resulting in matches being played in Sri Lanka. Since 2012, India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral cricket series, with encounters limited to ICC or ACC events due to diplomatic tensions.