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A three-decade wait is about to end for Pakistan’s passionate cricket fans

People with their mobile phones take photos of the ICC Champions trophy, during a ceremony at the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, Pakistan, on February 6, 2025. (Reuters/File)
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Updated 17 February 2025
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A three-decade wait is about to end for Pakistan’s passionate cricket fans

  • International teams avoided Pakistan after 2009 terror attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore
  • Plenty of stars will be missing in action including India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Aussie pacer Pat Cummins
Updated 17 February 2025
AP

ISLAMABAD: A three-decade wait finally ends for Pakistan on Wednesday when it stages its first major International Cricket Council tournament since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with Sri Lanka and India.

A 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lanka playing squad at Lahore resulted in international teams avoiding tours to Pakistan for almost a decade because of security concerns. The Sri Lankan test team returned in 2019 as international cricket made slow inroads back.

Since then, there’s been progress on bringing bigger, multinational events to Pakistan, where cricket — by a long margin — is the most popular sport.

But it doesn’t come without complications. Long-standing geo-political tensions mean India won’t send a team to Pakistan. So instead, India, which just about bankrolls the sport globally, will play its matches in the United Arab Emirates.

Why the hybrid hosting model?

India’s top team hasn’t played in Pakistan since 2008, and the two countries have tended to only compete against each other in major tournaments, including World Cups.

Pakistan traveled to India for the 50-over World Cup in 2023. But India’s reluctance to return the favor put this Champions Trophy tournament in doubt before the sport’s international governing body and both countries agreed on a solution. It’s similar to when Pakistan hosted the 2023 Asian Cup but India played its tournament games in Sri Lanka.




Fans hold Pakistani and Indian flags with a massaging banner as they watch the play of the tri-series ODI cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, on February 8, 2025. (AP)

Pakistan was subsequently awarded the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup and the International Cricket Council agreed in principle that Pakistan will also play its games at a neutral venue when India hosts ICC tournaments until 2027.

When the archrivals do meet each other in ICC tournaments, it tends to catch the attention of more than a billion cricket-mad fans.

The group game on Feb. 23 in Dubai will certainly fit into that category. Pakistan will host 10 games, including one semifinal. The final will be played at Lahore on March 9 if India doesn’t qualify. Dubai is scheduled to host all three of India’s group matches and a semifinal.

What is the Champions Trophy?

The eight-nation, limited-overs tournament hasn’t been contested since 2017, when Pakistan beat India in the final in England.

The Champions Trophy was launched in 1998 and initially held every two years but later moved to a four-year cycle in between World Cups — the pinnacle in cricket’s one-day format.

 International cricket has three main formats: test matches, which can last up to five days; one-dayers (or ODIs), where both teams are allocated 50 overs to bat and matches take up to 8 hours; and Twenty20s (or T20s), where both innings comprise 20 overs and games last just a few hours.

Pakistan was awarded the 2008 Champions Trophy, but due to security concerns the tournament was shifted to South Africa in 2009.




An auto-rickshaw drives past a billboard depicting portraits of the captains of participating cricket teams in ICC Champions Trophy 2025, installed at a roadside, in Lahore, Pakistan, on February 16, 2025. (AP)

India was due to host the Champions Trophy in 2021, but it was replaced with the T20 World Cup and was played in the UAE.

The eight participating teams this time were based on rankings after the 2023 World Cup in India, with Pakistan qualifying automatically as host. India, New Zealand and Bangladesh are in Group A with host Pakistan. England, South Africa, Australia and Afghanistan are in Group B.

Two former Champions Trophy winners — Sri Lanka and the West Indies — didn’t qualify for the ninth edition, which include 15 games across 19 days.

Boycott threat against Afghanistan

Politicians in England and South Africa urged their cricket authorities to boycott Champions Trophy group games against Afghanistan because of the Taliban’s ban on women’s sport and general erosion of women’s rights.

South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie last month said if the ultimate decision was his, then a South Africa vs. Afghanistan match “certainly would not happen.”




Afghan players celebrate after taking a wicket of New Zealand’s opening batsman Will Young during the practice match ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 cricket tournament, in Karachi, Pakistan, on February 16, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Afghanistan Cricket Board)

In a similar move, more than 160 politicians in Britain urged the England and Wales Cricket Board to take a stand and boycott the Feb. 26 game against Afghanistan at Lahore.

However, despite describing the “appalling oppression” of women in Afghanistan as “gender apartheid,” English cricket administrators confirmed that the game will go ahead.

Stars missing

Australia will be without its World Cup-winning pace trio with Mitchell Starc joining injured Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood on the sidelines. With Marcus Stoinis’ surprisingly retired from ODI cricket late last month and allrounder Mitchell Marsh out injured, Australia will look to its bench strength to win the only missing ICC trophy from its cabinet.

Jasprit Bumrah, the key cog in India’s bowling armory, was ruled out of the tournament because of a back problem he sustained during the test series against Australia in January.

Also sidelined with injuries are England’s Jacob Bethell and Afghanistan spinner AM Ghazanfar. New Zealand is still sweating on the fitness of fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who picked up hamstring injury during a recent T20 league series.

Stadiums upgrades

With work around the clock over the last four months and millions of dollars invested, Pakistan organizers finished upgrading the three stadiums at Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.




A view of newly renovated National Bank Stadium, where fans watch the tri-series ODI cricket final match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan, on February 14, 2025. (AP)

Described as “miracle” by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium has gone through a massive overhaul with all the stands being reconstructed in 117 days. Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi are the two other venues where major works were carried out. Karachi is hosting the tournament opener Wednesday between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Topics: Champions Trophy 2025 ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Pakistan cricket

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh sign ‘landmark’ agreement to strengthen capital market cooperation

Updated 4 sec ago
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Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh sign ‘landmark’ agreement to strengthen capital market cooperation

  • Initiative aims to create new opportunities for investors and market participants across the region, PSX says 
  • MoU establishes formal platform for dialogue and joint initiatives, with working groups to implement cooperation framework
Updated 4 sec ago
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), PSX said on Thursday, describing it as a “landmark move” to strengthen regional capital market cooperation.

The agreement signed in Colombo aims to establish an exchange forum to facilitate technology development and sharing, human resource sharing, product development, regulatory collaboration, investor protection, and knowledge exchange across the three markets.

“This initiative will foster deeper regional cooperation among the three South Asian nations while creating new opportunities for investors and market participants across the region,” the PSX said in a statement. 

Joint initiatives in system development and digital transformation, cross-exchange training programs and knowledge-sharing initiatives, collaborative development of new financial instruments, harmonization of market oversight and investor protection frameworks, exploration of cross-border listing opportunities to expand investor access and facilitation of broker partnerships and institutional connectivity were listed in the PSX statement as the key areas of collaboration under the MoU. 

“This strategic partnership marks a significant step forward in regional market integration. By combining our strengths, these three exchanges can drive innovation, enhance market resilience, and create new opportunities for investors across South Asia,” said Akif Saeed, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), who was present at the ceremony. 

Farrukh H. Sabzwari, MD & CEO of PSX, said the agreement represented a “transformative chapter” in regional capital market cooperation. 

“Through this partnership with our counterparts in Colombo and Dhaka, we aim to elevate market standards, foster sustainable growth, and deliver greater value to all market participants,” he added.

The MoU establishes a formal platform for ongoing dialogue and joint initiatives, with working groups to be formed to implement the cooperation framework. 

This alliance is expected to enhance market liquidity and product diversity, strengthen regulatory frameworks across the region, facilitate cross-border investment flows and promote technological innovation in market infrastructure, the PSX statement said. 

Topics: Pakistan Pakistan Stock Exchange

Islamabad criticizes US export restrictions on Pakistani firms, calls them ‘politically motivated’

Updated 33 min 3 sec ago
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Islamabad criticizes US export restrictions on Pakistani firms, calls them ‘politically motivated’

  • The US imposed export restrictions on 70 companies from five countries, including 19 from Pakistan
  • Pakistan welcomes US-brokered limited ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia
Updated 33 min 3 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Thursday criticized the recent United States export restrictions on Pakistani companies, arguing they unfairly targeted the country’s commercial entities without any evidence.
The US Department of Commerce imposed export restrictions this week on 70 companies from Pakistan, Iran, China, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, saying their “activities were contrary to US national security and foreign policy.”
According to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the list includes 42 firms from China, 19 from Pakistan, four from the United Arab Emirates, three from South Africa and two from Iran.
Due to these restrictions, US suppliers will be prohibited from sending goods to the sanctioned entities without obtaining a special license.
“The recent imposition of export restrictions by the United States unfairly targets Pakistan’s commercial entities without any evidence whatsoever,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters during his weekly media briefing in Islamabad.
“Such biased and politically motivated actions are counterproductive to the objectives of global export controls and obstruct the legitimate access to technology for socio-economic development,” he added.
The spokesperson also commented on the outcome of Russia-Ukraine negotiations, saying Pakistan welcomed the recently agreed limited ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine prohibiting attacks on energy infrastructure and ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea.
The US had been engaging in diplomatic efforts in Saudi Arabia to mediate between Ukraine and Russia, seeking a peaceful resolution to the three-year-long war through negotiations.
“We appreciate the active engagement of the US administration and its leadership in securing the agreement between Russia and Ukraine,” the spokesperson said, adding Pakistan remained optimistic that the new momentum generated by these initial steps would eventually lead to a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire.
Khan said Pakistan’s position on the Ukraine conflict has been consistent, as it enjoys friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
“We have always advocated dialogue and diplomacy, immediate cessation of hostilities, and peaceful resolution of this conflict,” he added.

Pakistan rejects US congressman’s bill seeking sanctions on army chief

Updated 36 min 21 sec ago
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Pakistan rejects US congressman’s bill seeking sanctions on army chief

  • Calling it a single legislator’s initiative, foreign office says the bill is misaligned with the positive bilateral ties
  • Congressman Joe Wilson sought sanction on the army chief this week for ‘undermining democracy’
Updated 36 min 21 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Thursday dismissed a bill in the US Congress seeking to sanction the country’s powerful army chief, calling it a single legislator’s initiative that did not align with the positive relations between the two countries.
US Congressman Joe Wilson announced earlier this week on Tuesday he had introduced a bill demanding sanctions against General Asim Munir for “undermining democracy” and “persecuting” political opponents, including jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Wilson shared a report by the American news website, The Hill, on his social media account, which said the legislation called for sanctions on the army chief within 180 days under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Violators of the act can be subjected to denial of entry to the United States and ineligibility for US visas.
Responding to the development, Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said the initiative did not reflect the US administration’s position.
“We are aware of the bill being introduced in the House of Representatives,” he said. “This is an initiative of a single individual legislator. We believe that the timing and context of the bill does not align well with the current positive dynamics of Pakistan-US bilateral relations based on mutual respect, understanding and non-interference in each other’s affairs.”
He noted the bill would have to go through several committees in the House of Representatives and Senate before its passage.
“We hope that the US Congress will continue its supportive role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and focus on avenues of mutual collaboration that benefit both our peoples and countries,” Khan continued.
“Pakistan remains committed to constitutionalism, rule of law, protection of human rights and freedom of expression because it considers democracy as a vehicle for prosperity and progress as a nation,” he added.
The spokesperson also said that Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi was currently visiting the US, where he had met with the chairman of the US Congressional Committee on Foreign Affairs, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on South Asia and Central Asia on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the co-chair of the Pakistan Caucus.
“During the talks, discussions focused on Pakistan-US bilateral cooperation and economic relations,” he said. “The special assistant briefed the US leadership on government policy, especially the economic priorities.”
Khan said that promoting bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade, economy and investment, was among the top priorities of the government.
“Regional and international issues were also discussed during these meetings,” he added.

Topics: US congressman Joe Wilson US Congress Imran Khan Army chief General Syed Asim Munir

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Pakistan says Syria needs ‘credible political transition,’ condemns Israeli incursions and airstrikes

Updated 27 March 2025
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Pakistan says Syria needs ‘credible political transition,’ condemns Israeli incursions and airstrikes

  • After fall of Bashar Assad regime, Israel expanded occupation of Syrian Golan Heights by seizing demilitarized buffer zone
  • Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes on military sites and assets across Syria, including fighter jets, missile and air defense systems
Updated 27 March 2025
Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday condemned Israel’s “continued and repeated” incursions and airstrikes in Syria, saying durable peace in the Middle Eastern state required a credible political transition and an inclusive government. 
Israel capitalized last December on the fall of the long regime of Bashar Assad to bolster its military foothold in Syria. It now controls a 400-square-km demilitarized buffer zone, supports the Druze minority and is opposed to the Syrian leadership.
Syria’s foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned Israeli strikes on the southwestern city of Daraa, which it said had killed and injured civilians. The strikes a day earlier killed at least three people and injured 19 others, the Syrian civil defense group, known as the White Helmets, said.
The Israeli army confirmed the strikes, the latest in a string of attacks targeting Syria’s military infrastructure since rebels toppled Assad. Israel said it targeted military headquarters and sites containing weapons and equipment.
“Israel’s continued and repeated incursions and airstrikes into the Syrian territory, continued violation of 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and its declared intent for an indefinite presence and full demilitarization of Syria are unacceptable, constitute latent violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and undermine international law and regional stability,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
“A durable peace in Syria hinges on a credible political transition, national unity and reconciliation and inclusive governance.”
The Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria, which was signed on May 31, 1974, provided for the continuation of the ceasefire already in effect and for the separation of opposing parties by a UN Peacekeeping Force.
After the fall of Assad, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period in late January. Israel says it will not tolerate what it describes as an Islamist militant presence in southern Syria and has sent its troops into Syria’s border zone.
Syria’s leadership has said it does not intend to open a front against Israel.

Topics: Pakistan Syria Ties Hamas-Israel war Golan Heights

Indian fisherman hangs himself in Pakistan prison amid delayed repatriation

Updated 47 min 14 sec ago
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Indian fisherman hangs himself in Pakistan prison amid delayed repatriation

  • Indian and Pakistani fishermen are frequently detained for straying into each other’s territorial waters
  • Jail authorities in Pakistan say Gaurav’s release was delayed due to procedural reasons on Indian side
Updated 47 min 14 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: An Indian fisherman has died by suicide in a Karachi prison, a senior Pakistani jail official said on Wednesday, as the incident highlighted the plight of detainees caught in the tangle of strained India-Pakistan relations.
Indian and Pakistani fishermen are routinely detained by both countries’ maritime agencies for allegedly entering each other’s territorial waters. The poorly defined maritime boundary in the Arabian Sea, coupled with the limited navigational capabilities of many fishing boats, frequently leads to unintentional crossings.
According to Pakistani prison authorities, Gaurav, son of Ram Anand, hanged himself in the prison’s washroom on Tuesday night.
“He went to the washroom under the pretext of urinating and hanged himself with his drawstring,” Qazi Nazeer Ahmed, Inspector General of Prison Police in Pakistan’s Sindh province, told Arab News.
Malir Prison, where Gaurav took his own life, has come under scrutiny in recent years over the deaths of several detainees due to health complications.
Last month, a prisoner named Babu Kana died due to health issues, while in 2023, two Indian fishermen — Balo Jetha and Soma Deva — died after their health deteriorated during incarceration.
Ahmed said Gaurav was apparently suffering from “severe depression,” which pushed him to take the extreme step of ending his life.
“His sentence was completed, but the process from the Indian side [for his release] was not finalized,” he continued. “Fellow prisoners reported that Gaurav’s behavior did not indicate he would commit suicide, but he was depressed.”
Arab News reached out to the Indian High Commission, where officials declined to comment immediately.
Arshad Shah, Superintendent of Malir Jail, said Gaurav had been remanded to the Karachi prison on February 17, 2022.
“The duty doctor examined him before pronouncing him dead,” he told Arab News, adding the body had been handed over to the Edhi Foundation for repatriation.
Human rights activists on both sides of the border have long called for a faster process for the release of fishermen, who commit no crime but mistakenly cross invisible boundaries at sea and end up in jail, while their families suffer back home.
“According to our records, 216 Indian fishermen are still languishing in Pakistani jails, while 81 Pakistani fishermen are imprisoned in India,” Jatin Desai, an Indian rights activist, said, adding hundreds of fishermen remained in prison on both sides of the border.
However, the IG prison maintained Indian nationals were treated well in jail, adding that Pakistani authorities did not delay their release once legal formalities were completed.
“This is why prisoners are regularly released and returned to their country,” he added. “We regret that Gaurav could not reunite with his family back in India.”

Topics: Indian fisherman Karachi jail

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