'Sports must be kept out of politics': Pakistan tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi's message to BCCI

Sending the Pakistani team to India for the 2023 Cricket World Cup was the right decision and the Indian cricket team would hopefully reciprocate when it comes to the 2025 Champions Trophy, tennis star  Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has said. Qureshi’s statement came after the ITF Independent Tribunal’s verdict to keep the February 2024 Davis Cup tie in Pakistan. Speaking with The News, The Pakistani tennis star said that the tribunal’s decision has finally addressed India’s security concerns, adding that it was a significant victory for Pakistani sports. He also mentioned that the tribunal’s ruling will serve as a milestone for Pakistan’s sports community and highlighted the extensive track record of successfully hosting eight different countries over the past six years, with no security apprehensions raised by any visiting team. He further stated that the tribunal’s decision, backed by the DCC, serves as a clear resolution, dispelling any lingering doubts that may have existed. “It was a landmark win for Pakistani sports, which has been fighting for years against Indian excuses not to tour Pakistan under the pretext of security threats. The matter has been settled once and for all by the Independent Tribunal that decided the appeal on merit and rightly kept the February 2024 Davis Cup tie with Pakistan,” Qureshi said. He also urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to let go of any hesitations and start sending teams to Pakistan. He argued that with the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2025, it is imperative for India to announce their cricket team’s participation. “Sports must be kept out of politics, as in the modern world, such excuses hold no value. I believe sending the Pakistan cricket team to India to compete in the ODI World Cup was the right decision and hope India will reciprocate when it comes to participation in the Champions Trophy,” he added.

Qureshi commended the role played by the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) in presenting the Davis Cup tie case effectively. At the same time, he also downplayed the significance of winning or losing, emphasising the importance of making earnest efforts. He expressed optimism about Pakistan’s chances on grass courts in Islamabad and extended an invitation to the Indian team, expressing hopes for their visit and stressing the value of experiencing Pakistani hospitality.