Former Pakistan cricketer Inzamam ul Haq launched attack at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) amid the ongoing venue controversy in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The legendary cricketer suggested that other cricket boards should unite and boycott the Indian Premier League (IPL). Earlier, England legends Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton suggested that India have an undeniable advantage in the ongoing ICC tournament playing all their games at a single venue.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was set to take place in Pakistan but the Indian government did not allow Rohit Sharma-led side to travel to the country citing security concerns, leaving the tournament to take place in a hybrid model.
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Amid the controversy, Inzamam urged a global boycott of the IPL, highlighting that while India prohibits its players from joining overseas leagues, foreign players are allowed to participate in the IPL.
"Keep aside the Champions Trophy. Top players participate in IPL but Indian players don't participate in other leagues. Other boards should stop sending their players to IPL. If you (BCCI) don't release your players for leagues, then other boards should take a stance," he said speaking on a Pakistani TV channel.
Interestingly, players who have a contract with the BCCI are not allowed to take part in any overseas leagues unless the cricketer has announced retirement from IPL and domestic cricket.
With the final group game of the Champions Trophy still to be finished, the clash between India and New Zealand—both already through to the semifinals—will determine who faces India in Dubai for the first knockout match. A victory for India would set up a semifinal against Australia, while a loss would pit them against an in-form South Africa.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding the semifinal fixture, both Australia and South Africa traveled to Dubai to fine-tune their preparations for a potential showdown with India. However, one of them will have to make the 2,000 km journey back to Pakistan ahead of Wednesday’s semifinal against New Zealand.
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