'Even If We Don't Play India At All..': Javed Miandad Lashes Out At BCCI & ICC Over Champions Trophy Fiasco

Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad has said that the entire fiasco around India's travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy has become a joke and even if India-Pakistan matches aren't played, Pakistan Cricket will still survive. The outburst came after it was reported widely that India have refused to travel to the neighbouring country. On Sunday, November 10, the Pakistan Cricket Board were reportedly informed by the International Cricket Council about India's refusal to travel for the Champions Trophy.After the development, several Pakistan cricketers lashed out at BCCI and its continued denial for travelling to Pakistan, despite repeated reassurances. “It is a joke that this is happening. Even if we don’t play India at all, Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper as well as we have shown in the past," Miandad was quoted as saying by PTI. "I would like to see how the ICC events earn money when there are no Pakistan and India matches," the former Pakistan captain said. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday initiated talks with senior government officials to discuss future course of action after ICC conveyed to PCB India’s unwillingness to tour the nation for next year’s Champions Trophy.The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that it received an e-mail from the ICC regarding India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the marquee tournament, even as Naqvi had earlier turned down a 'Hybrid Model'.Last year, when Pakistan was the official host for the Asia Cup, India refused to travel and the Asian Cricket Council had to resort to a hybrid model, where India's matches and a few other games including the knockouts were played in Sri Lanka. According to a report in PTI, a Pakistan Cricket Board official expressed his disappointment over India’s stand despite Pakistan promising full-scale security for the visitors during the ICC showpiece.