Shikhar Dhawan’s no-nonsense stance on India vs Pakistan cricketing ties: ’No cricket until terrorism ends’

Country’s stance on national security should always take precedence over cricket, opined former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan after the BCCI refused to send its team to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Due to the political tensions between the two countries, India have never played a bilateral series against Pakistan after 2012. Nor have they travelled Pakistan to play any continental or International Cricket Council (ICC) events. 

Pakistan is hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with India playing all their matches at a neutral venue in Dubai. It was upon India’s denial to not travel to Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to hold their first ICC tournament in 30 years in a hybrid model. 

Shikhar Dhawan, who retired from cricket last year, believed that India should not play in Pakistan untill terrorism ends. “No, I don’t think so. Cricket shouldn’t come before our country’s stand. Until terrorism ends, there should be no cricket in Pakistan,” Shikhar Dhawan told ANI.