New Delhi: India’s refusal to play in the ICC Champions Trophy 2024 in Pakistan has shocked the entire sporting world. Amidst this stalemate, England’s Michael Vaughan voiced his opinion on the issue while suggesting a move to revive the bilateral Test series.

Speaking at a podcast on Club Prairie Fire Podcast, Vaughan remarked:

India have obviously announced that they would not be playing in Pakistan, looks like they’re going to play in Dubai. I do think that India is not going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, I think that relationship now could be an off-image, it has not been great for a long time and I think it is going to get worse. Potentially we might not see India play Pakistan for a long long time…

The former English captain believes that resuming the bilateral test series will ensure that the rivalry and the standoff reach a peaceful and sporting resolution.

What is the India vs Pakistan controversy?

The India vs Pakistan rivalry has become nasty in a heated exchange of words around the issue of the ICC Champions Trophy. The problem started when India decided that it wouldn’t be travelling to Pakistan for the ICC tournament, which is slated to be played in Pakistan in 2025.

According to a report by a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson, the board has confirmed to the leading media outlets of India that ICC has conveyed to them regarding India not travelling to Pakistan for the tournament, which is slated to be played from February 19-March 9 next year.

https://youtu.be/_CFS5uZCcTw?si=gb1qxZlQP7yuzYUs

The PCB has now requested clarification from the ICC after India’s decision not to travel across the border for the Champions Trophy 2025. Interestingly, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to the strained political reasons between the two nations.

The PCB has ruled out a hybrid arrangement as suggested by ICC for the 19th of February to the 9th of March.