Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson expressed disappointment over India’s choice to not journey to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, calling it “unlucky” for cricket followers in Pakistan.
Talking in the course of the ICC Champions Trophy Tour, Watson emphasised the significance of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry and its unparalleled power at international occasions.
“It is unlucky that issues labored out that approach. However there is not any doubt that what everybody loves is watching the India-Pakistan recreation,” mentioned Watson.
“Every time they arrive collectively, whether or not in ICC occasions, it is a actually particular time as a result of we get a way of what is on the road. From an Australian cricket perspective, we all know how massive the rivalry is between us and England. The India-Pakistan rivalry is simply as enormous. No cricket fan needs to overlook that recreation. So, it is unlucky that India is not travelling to Pakistan for this Champions Trophy,” he added. The 43-year-old remained optimistic for Pakistan’s cricket followers, calling the event a monumental occasion for the nation.
“It’ll be enormous for the Pakistan cricket followers to have the chance to observe world-class cricket within the nation,” he mentioned.
Reflecting on his personal expertise taking part in in Pakistan in the course of the Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) in 2019, Watson shared fond reminiscences of the passionate Pakistani followers.
“I bought a small alternative to play within the Pakistan Tremendous League in 2019, the primary time after taking part in there in 2005. It was one of many highlights of my profession. To go to Pakistan after a very long time and see the love and pleasure they’ve for cricket was unimaginable. They had been starved of world-class dwell cricket,” he mentioned.
The fitting-handed batter participated in six PSL editions, representing Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators.
In 46 PSL matches, he scored 1,361 runs at a strike price of 138.59, together with 9 fifties.
It’s pertinent to say that the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC), on December 24, 2024, introduced the extremely anticipated schedule for the boys’s Champions Trophy 2025, which will likely be hosted by Pakistan. The eight-team event, consisting of 15 matches, will run from February 19 to March 9 throughout three venues: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, in addition to Dubai.
The eight collaborating groups are divided into two teams.
Group A contains Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, whereas Group B contains Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.
Hosts Pakistan will face New Zealand within the curtain-raiser on February 19 in Karachi. The extremely anticipated conflict between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.
Pakistan will host a complete of 10 matches at their house venues, whereas 4 matches, together with all three of India’s group-stage video games and the primary semi-final, will likely be performed in Dubai.
The ultimate of the event is scheduled to be held in Lahore; nonetheless, if India qualifies, the ultimate will even happen in Dubai.