Ever since news has started doing the rounds that India will not be coming to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025, reactions have started to come from Pakistan. In the latest development, former Pakistani cricketer Salman Butt has now taken a dig at BCCI and Indian government for not allowing Indian Cricket Team to travel to Pakistan. And the reason will surprise you.
Salman Butt has opined that Indian government and BCCI don’t want Pakistan to earn revenue through India matches in Champions Trophy 2025 and this is why there is so much hesitation from Indian side and BCCI to send their cricket team to Pakistan team.
“Yeh jo abhi aapne baat ki hai na, ki hamari baari ayi hai paise kamane ki, sirf yahi wajah hai. Sirf yahi wajah hai ki voh nahn aa sakte. Meri reading yeh hai ki iske alawa aur koi wajah hi nhn hai.”
Translated in English : – “This thing you talked about that Champions Trophy 2025 would help PCB to earn revenue, this is the only reason that why India won’t be sending their Cricket Team to Pakistan (for CT). Lets not be that innocent. It has got nothing to do with the narrative (of security). This is an economic thing. There is no other reason.” Butt said on his Youtube channel.
There is no denying that Pakistan will save considerable money if they are able to host India matches in their own backyard. While the broadcasters revenue may not differ much even if the matches are played at neutral venue, but PCB would then have to shell out considerable money for logistics and team travel.
India shouldn’t play Pakistan Anywhere : Salman Butt
Emphasizing that India is reluctant to come to Pakistan not because of security issue but to restrict PCB’s revenue, Salman Butt opined that if India doesn’t want to tour Pakistan then they shouldn’t play Pakistan at any venue.
“Aapki Kabbadi team idhar aayi, hockey team bhi. Recently Indian contigent MMA team bhi pakistan aayi thi 2 mahine pehle. Even Indian tennis players aaye the Islamabad. Ya vo kam Indian hai, ya unki jaano ki kam value hai? Baat vahi hai jo economic hai.”
“The Indian Kabbadi team came here, even the hockey team also. And recently, Indian MMA contigent team came to Pakistan 2 months ago. Even Indian tennis players came to Islamabad. May be those people were less Indian, or may be there life holds less value as compared to Indian cricket team.” Butt opined.
Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule announcement on November 11
All eyes are on 11th November when the ICC is expected to announce the schedule of the Champions Trophy. However, it is possible that the ICC will only announce the matches while the venue will be announced later when it would become clear whether India would travel to Pakistan or would have their matches at neutral place like Dubai.
