NEW DELHI: Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has referred to as India’s choice to not journey to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as “unlucky” for cricket followers in Pakistan. Talking as a part of the ICC Champions Trophy Tour in Sydney, Watson emphasised the importance of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry and the distinctive vitality it brings to international cricket occasions.
“It is unlucky that issues labored out that method. However there isn’t any doubt that what everybody loves is watching the India-Pakistan recreation,” Watson mentioned. “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 large 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 aren’t travelling to Pakistan for this Champions Trophy.”
The ICC Males’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, marks the return of the worldwide event after its final version in 2017. Defending champions Pakistan will host matches in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, with the UAE serving as a impartial venue.
Watson expressed pleasure for Pakistan cricket followers, calling the event a major second for the nation. “It is gonna be enormous for the Pakistan cricket followers to have the ability 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 his admiration for the followers’ ardour for the game. “I obtained 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 unbelievable. They have been starved of world-class reside cricket,” Watson famous.
With eight groups divided into two teams, the event guarantees intense competitors. Group A options Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, whereas Group B consists of Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa.
As Watson highlighted, the Champions Trophy is poised to reignite the joy of worldwide cricket in Pakistan. “Now the ICC occasion is in Pakistan, the nation is gonna mild up. It is so stunning for Pakistan cricket to be uncovered to reside, greatest cricketers on this planet taking part in in entrance of their very own eyes. It is actually gonna be a particular event for positive,” he concluded.
