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Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar appeared on Pakistan’s news show ‘Sports Today’ and exposed the sub-continent nation’s security in the Champions Trophy 2025. Team India’s decision to play their matches in Dubai instead of travelling to Pakistan has irked former players of the 1992 World Cup-champion side. India’s refusal to travel to their neighbouring nation resulted in Champions Trophy getting held in the hybrid model. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cited security issues of its players for not travelling to the South Asian country.
Gavaskar, who appeared on the Pakistani show, was queried about the resumption of bilateral series between India and Pakistan. Replying to the question, Gavaskar showed mirror to the anchor on his country’s security issues. He gave the example of the incident between the Afghanistan versus England match to embarrass the show presenter. During the Group B match in Lahore a spectator was seen breaking into the playing arena to meet Afghan players.
"Even in this tournament we say that people were able to breach security and run onto the ground while the match was going on. I think it happened during the Afghanistan game. When you see such incidents, it is almost impossible for any government to give the Indian team the permission to travel to Pakistan," remarked Gavaskar on the show.
Gavaskar ruled out the possibility of India-Pakistan bilateral competition
Before humiliating Pakistan on security concerns, Gavaskar also dismissed the possibility of India-Pakistan bilateral series in the near future. He said there can’t be any series between both nations until peace is established at the borders of both countries. "It's very simple. If there's peace at the borders, then I think both governments will certainly say. Look, okay, we've had no incidents, nothing at all. So let's at least start talking," said Gavaskar.
Amidst these developments, former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq has urged all international cricket boards to stop sending their players for IPL. Earlier, former England cricketers Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton highlighted India getting advantage due to playing at the same venue.
