Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has labelled India’s refusal to tour his country a “missed opportunity”.
But he thinks the Champions Trophy is proving Pakistan deserves to host more ICC events in the future.
The tournament is the first time since the 1996 World Cup that Pakistan has staged a global event.
India, however, remain conspicuous by their absence, having opted to play all their matches in Dubai instead.
The two great rivals will meet at the Dubai International Stadium in a vital group match on Sunday. Lose, and Pakistan will likely go straight out of the competition, having lost to New Zealand in the tournament opener.
Ahead of the fixture, Naqvi reiterated his disappointment that India have opted out of travelling.
“It is undoubtedly disappointing - not just for the PCB, but also for cricket fans worldwide, the ICC, its commercial partners and the other participating countries,” Naqvi said.
“Pakistan has consistently upheld the principle of keeping sports and politics separate. Our team has toured India multiple times, including in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016 and most recently in 2023.
“Naturally, we had hoped that India would reciprocate by participating in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Unfortunately, that has not materialised.”
Naqvi pointed out Pakistan had “successfully hosted all major cricket-playing nations since 2019,” which he said was testament to their “robust security framework”. Despite that, India still opted out.
“The PCB, along with the Pakistan government, provided comprehensive assurances regarding security, hospitality and logistical arrangements for the Indian team,” Naqvi said.
“We engaged constructively with the ICC and conveyed our willingness to facilitate every possible measure to ensure a smooth and secure visit.
“Despite these efforts, India has chosen not to travel. The absence of India from Pakistan is a loss for spectators, broadcasters, media and the tournament itself.
“But it is also a missed opportunity for Indian players to experience the warmth, love and hospitality that Pakistan has always extended to visiting teams.
“Nonetheless, we remain focused on delivering a world-class event, ensuring that cricket takes centre stage.”
He said the Champions Trophy carries “immense significance for the PCB, and hopes it will help bring more major events to the country.
“It is an opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan’s status as one of the most passionate and influential cricketing nations, fully capable of staging multi-nation tournaments at the highest level,” he said.
“Beyond that, it is our chance to showcase world-class infrastructure, passionate crowds and a cricket culture that deserves more major ICC events in the next cycle.
“The tournament will also serve as a catalyst for the growth and development of cricket in Pakistan. It will inspire the younger generation, allowing them to witness modern-day stars in action in one of the most competitive global tournaments.”
The two sides are not strangers to each other. They have met at multi-team tournaments frequently in the recent past.
Despite being played on neutral territory, the group stage fixture between the two neighbours in the UAE will be a significant event.
“India-Pakistan has a long history,” said Shubman Gill, the world’s No 1 ranked batter, who scored a century in their opening game win against Bangladesh.
“It's an exciting contest when both these teams play. Everyone enjoys watching it. If so many people are happy to watch the match, then who are we to say that it is underhyped or overhyped?
“We go there to play cricket. Our effort is to play for the team I am playing for, to represent my country, and to win with all my heart.”
Rishabh Pant was absent from India’s practice on Saturday, having also missed the game against Bangladesh. Gill, India’s vice captain, said Pant is struggling with a virus.
Virat Kohli had an ice pack near his ankle for some of the session, but is not thought to be a risk of missing the game.
The five pillars of Islam
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
