Champions Trophy 2025: ICC Ambassador Shane Watson Opined It’s “Unfortunate” That Team India Will Not Travel To Pakistan

January 2, 2025: Shane Watson, the former Australian cricketer and ICC ambassador, has expressed disappointment over the fact that the Indian cricket team will not be traveling to Pakistan for the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place next month in February.

During a press conference, Watson shared his views on the situation, acknowledging the significance of the India-Pakistan rivalry, which has always been one of the most exciting and highly anticipated matchups in the world of cricket. He called it “unfortunate” that political and logistical factors have led to India’s non-participation in the tournament’s Pakistan leg.

Shane Watson emphasized the unique atmosphere created during an India-Pakistan match, especially in ICC events. “No cricket fan wants to miss that game,” he said. “Whenever they come together, whether it’s an ICC event, it is a special time because we’ve got a sense of what’s on the line. To know how big a rivalry it is between India and Pakistan is always something special,” Watson added.

India and Pakistan have not had a bilateral cricket series since 2012-13 due to strained political relations between the two countries. The last time India visited Pakistan was in 2008, for the Asia Cup. Since then, the two teams have met mostly in ICC tournaments or the Asia Cup, with no formal series between them.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in Pakistan and another neutral venue, marking the return of an ICC event to Pakistan after a long hiatus. The tournament is set to kick off on February 19, with Pakistan defending their title against New Zealand in Karachi. India’s campaign begins on February 20, with their opening match against Bangladesh in Dubai, followed by a clash with New Zealand on March 2. The India-Pakistan match will take place on February 23, which will be one of the major highlights of the group stage.

Watson’s comments underscore the importance of the rivalry, both for the fans and for cricket in general, as these high-profile contests bring unparalleled excitement and engagement to the sport. Despite the current situation, the hope remains that both teams will once again be able to face each other in the near future under more favorable circumstances.