Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has responded to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi's demand of hybrid model for all the ICC events set to take place in India in the near future. With Naqvi demanding a hybrid model after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, Harbhajan said it's okay for Pakistan not to come to India if they don't wish to.
Even as Naqvi has hinted at accepting a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB boss has stated that Pakistan will not come to India either for the future ICC events hosted by them. As per numerous media reports, India are likely to play their Champions Trophy games in Dubai.
Speaking on Sports Tak, the 44-year-old claimed that India will not suffer even if Pakistan chooses not to play in the ICC events in their country.
"Mat aaiye, mat aaiye, koi baat nahin. Agar aapke yahan na aane se bharat ke tournament ko koi farak pad raha hai, toh woh aapki soch hai. Aapke paas choice hai. Par vahi Indian team ke paas bhi hai wahan jaana hai ya nahin jaana hai."
(Don't come, it's okay. If you feel Pakistan not coming will make a difference to India hosting the tournaments, it's your thinking. You have a choice. But the Indian team equally has a choice to not visit Pakistan).
"If security issues persist, no other team will want to go, let alone India" - Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan added that Pakistan should first look to sort out their issues before thinking of keeping ICC events.
"Pakistan ke jo halaat hain, acche halaat nahin hain, jisme wahan ki jo log hain vahi pareshaan hai. Toh aap agar baat karein ki wahan cricket ho toh yeh toh mushkil hai. Agar security issues hain, India chodiye koi bhi team nahin jaana chahegi. Mera tabhi yehi manna tha ki aap apne issues sort out kar lijiye uske baad teams aane hain toh zaroor aayegi."
(Given Pakistan's condition, the people over there are troubled itself. If cricket is to take place in Pakistan, it's difficult. If security issues persist, no other team will want to go, let alone India. I said it then and I will say it again, they need to sort out their issues and teams can play in Pakistan)
