Rizwan’s Heartwarming Plea: Indian Stars Welcome to Play in Pakistan for Champions Trophy.
In a gesture that has won the hearts of cricket fans across the globe, Pakistan’s newly-appointed white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan has extended a warm welcome to Indian stars KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav, urging them to tour Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament next year.
Rizwan’s comments come amidst the ongoing chaos surrounding the prestigious event after the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that India will not be traveling to the country to participate in the tournament.
Speaking to the media at the Gabba in Brisbane, ahead of Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Australia, Rizwan sounded hopeful of a swift resolution to the ongoing situation.
“KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav are all welcome. All the players who will come, we will welcome them,” Rizwan said, emphasizing that the decision to host the tournament in Pakistan was not his own, but rather that of the PCB.
The Pakistan captain expressed his optimism, stating, “Whatever decision takes place, hopefully, they will all discuss and take the right call. But we are hopeful that if the Indian players will come, we will welcome them.”
The Champions Trophy situation has been shrouded in uncertainty, with the ICC formally informing the PCB that India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the event. In response, the PCB has consulted with the Pakistan government, with reports suggesting that they may even withdraw from the tournament altogether.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has proposed the idea of a hybrid model, similar to the one used during the Asia Cup last year, where Pakistan was the host, but India’s matches and the knockout games were staged in Sri Lanka. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has dismissed the possibility of Dubai being the venue for India’s matches.
The ICC, who had earlier put the launch event for the ODI tournament on hold, is currently in discussions with the participating teams regarding the schedule.
Rizwan’s heartwarming gesture to welcome the Indian players has undoubtedly struck a chord with cricket enthusiasts around the world, as the sport continues to navigate the complexities of geopolitics and the ongoing tensions between the neighboring nations.
