Nawaz Sharif Urges India to Reconsider Stance on Champions Trophy Participation in Pakistan
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has publicly encouraged the Indian cricket team to participate in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by Pakistan. Addressing the media outside his London residence alongside his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, and Punjab Chief Minister, Sharif stressed the importance of building peaceful and cooperative relations with neighboring nations.
Sharif’s comments come in the wake of India’s official communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC) declaring its intention not to send its team to Pakistan for the tournament. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cited advisement from the Indian government, which advised against participation, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held across three venues in Pakistan from February to March 9, 2025.
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In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is exploring options, including potentially inviting another country to participate if India remains firm in its decision. The PCB is reportedly planning to engage the ICC in seeking a formal statement from India regarding its withdrawal from the tournament.
Nawaz Sharif also took the opportunity to commend Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for recent strides in economic recovery, noting a steady decline in inflation. He highlighted the government’s efforts to address economic challenges, crediting Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership for these positive trends.
In addition, Sharif criticized certain political parties for fostering a “culture of misbehavior” and urged for more respectful conduct in public discourse and protests. He condemned recent incidents of public harassment, including one targeting former Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, where individuals engaged in disruptive behavior. Sharif warned that such actions encourage youth to adopt inappropriate conduct, potentially leading to societal discord.
As the Champions Trophy approaches, Nawaz Sharif’s appeal underscores a diplomatic call for sportsmanship and regional unity amid a climate of complex bilateral relations. The PCB’s actions, alongside Sharif’s remarks, reflect a broader effort to ensure the tournament proceeds smoothly, with the hope that cricket can serve as a bridge for peace and goodwill in South Asia.
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