ICC’s duty to ensure India’s participation in Champions Trophy: Salman Butt

Former cricketer Salman Butt termed the International Cricket Council (ICC) responsible to ensure India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan.

The former Pakistan captain emphasized that if India do not come to Pakistan to partake in the event then it will be the apex cricketing body’s problem.

“If they come, then they welcome, if they don’t, the ICC has to deal with it. We will find out if they can just deal with all the other countries or can do the same with India as well. It will show how much authority they have as a regulator and how neutral they can be,” stated Butt on his YouTube channel.

Reportedly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah had allegedly given a green signal regarding the Indian team’s participation in the Champions Trophy, citing his remarks that India target the World Test Championship (WTC) and Champions Trophy after T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.

“The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there,” the Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted Shah.

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However, Salman Butt is of the view that Jay Shah did not give any signal regarding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy.

“We try sensationalizing everything. There have been a few reports suggesting that Jay Shah has given a positive signal. However, I don’t think he’s given any signals,” said Butt.

“I wouldn’t have been excited even if there had been a signal from him because it is the ICC’s duty to ensure that all teams visit Pakistan,” he added.

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