'Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper without India' - Javed Miandad on Champions Trophy 2025 conundrum

The legendary Javed Miandad cut a disappointed figure after the Indian government decided to not send their cricket team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Notably, the ICC (International Cricket Council) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) via an official email about India’s stand, and the board has passed on the information to the government.

This news has rubbed the former Pakistan cricketer, Miandad, the wrong way as the 67-year-old openly expressed his frustration during a recent interview. Miandad termed the Indian government’s stand a ‘joke’ and said that Pakistan can not only survive but prosper without playing against India in ICC events. The former Pakistan coach reckoned that ICC would lose a lot of money if there are no India-Pakistan matches in their premier tournaments.

"It is a joke that this is happening. Even if we don't play India at all, Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper as well as we have shown in the past. I would like to see how the ICC events earn money when there are no Pakistan and India matches," Miandad was quoted as saying by India Today.

Schedule announcement for Champions Trophy 2025 postponed after India's stance

The schedule for the impending Champions Trophy 2025 was set to be announced during a launch event on Sunday, November 10. However, it has been postponed after India conveyed their government's stance on sending their players to the neighbouring nation.

Also Read: Reports: Pakistan to opt themselves out of Champions Trophy 2025 if India don't travel

The showpiece event is expected to get underway on February 19. With just 100 days left for the global competition to get started, the cricket world is waiting to find out when the schedule will be announced. The Men in Green are the defending champions, having won the title for the first time in 2017 by beating India in a one-sided final, at the Kennington Oval in London.