Australian cricket great Shane Watson admits it will be “unfortunate” not to see India travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

The tournament will make its return for the first time in 2017 next month, with the best eight one-day countries from the previous World Cup set to compete.

Pakistan will act as one of the hosts for the event, but given security and political concerns, India will instead play their matches in the UAE.

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Speaking to media on Thursday afternoon, Watson was quizzed about the decision from BCCI officials but instead put the attention back on the historic rivalry being renewed.

“That’s a nice little hospital pass you’ve given me there,” he laughed.

“It’s unfortunate that things have worked out that way, but what everyone loves watching is the India-Pakistan games. Whenever they come together, it’s really special.

“We’ve got a sense of what’s on the line and we know from an Australian cricket perspective, how it is playing against our arch-rivals England.

“No cricket fan wants to miss that game and it is unfortunate that India aren’t travelling to Pakistan, but that’s just the way it is right now.” 

Pakistan haven’t hosted a major tournament for close to three decades, but will have some of the biggest players in the world on their soil from February 19.

Watson believes the reintroduction of the tournament will help 50-over cricket.

“For me, the ICC Champions Trophy is a critically important tournament,” he said.

“The one-day World Cup is only every four years and the Champions Trophy was great because it broke up those four years. It was a special tournament from a playing perspective because there was always something riding on every single game.

“When you’re playing bilateral series throughout the year, it can get a bit stale … but when you play an ICC event with eight teams, there is something riding on every ball.

“It’s an awesome tournament and I’ve got incredible memories.”