'KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav are all welcome': Mohammad Rizwan hopes PCB 'takes right call' amid Champions Trophy stand-off

BCCI and PCB are embroiled in a fresh controversy involving the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be played in the months of February-March. The Indian cricket board has written to ICC stating that they won't risk sending their players to the neighbouring nation citing security concerns. BCCI instead has asked their matches to be shifted to Dubai, a decision on this is yet to be taken.

If we look at PCB's stance on the matter, they have reportedly rejected the idea of the tournament being played in a "Hybrid Model". A report in Dawn mentioned that Pakistan may considering withdrawing from the tournament if the hosting rights are snatched from them. The report also mentioned that Pakistan will completely stop playing cricket against India until the issues between the two nations are resolved at the government level.

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Pakistan's new white-ball captain was asked to comment on the same at a media interaction at Gabba in Brisbane ahead of the T20I series against Australia. Responding to the same, Rizwan dropped a heartfelt message for the Indian players and said Pakistan is ready to welcome all the players. "KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav are all welcome. All the players who will come, we will welcome them. This is not our decision, this is PCB's decision. Whatever decision will take place, hopefully they will all discuss and take the right call. But we are hopeful that if the Indian players will come, we will welcome them," the wicketkeeper-batter said.