The statement by Ali came while talking to a Pakistan-based channel Samaa TV. Pakistan are the defending champions, having won the title in 2017 by beating India in final. "As the PCB chairman has said, if the Champions Trophy is being hosted by Pakistan, it will only be played in Pakistan. If India do not want to come, we will play without them," said 2017 edition's Player for the Series Ali.   "If India doesn't participate, it doesn't mean cricket has ended," he added. This is not the first time that the dispute over India travelling to Pakistan for a cricket tournament has risen. In 2023, India did not play their Asia Cup matches in Pakistan but in Sri Lanka instead. The neighbouring country, however, travelled to India for 2023 ODI World Cup after the Asia Cup. Ali took the example of the same situation and said: "If we (Pakistan) are going to India to play, then they should come to Pakistan as well," "Many Indian players have said in interviews that they want to play in Pakistan. So, it doesn't mean that the team doesn't want to come; they definitely do," Ali said. "But obviously, they have to consider their policies, their country and their board," he added. There have been reports doing rounds that India are looking to get their matches shifted to UAE or Sri Lanka under a hybrid model. The two countries do not play any bilateral series because of simmering political tensions and only face each other in ICC tournaments. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be played from mid-February to mid-March next year with top eight teams taking part in it.