In the middle of a dispute over the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistani bowler Shoaib Akhtar is asserting that Virat Kohli and Team India are eager to play in Pakistan.
Due to India’s unwillingness to travel Pakistan, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been embroiled in a significant controversy in recent weeks. Pakistan, the ICC tournament’s hosts, is refusing to accept a “hybrid” approach for the competition until their own requirements are met.
Former Pakistani bowler Shoaib Akhtar fueled the flames during this significant dispute by asserting that the Indian cricket team is genuinely “dying” to play in Pakistan and that former India skipper Virat Kohli was also “dying” to play there.
Let me tell you something right now: India is dying more to play in Pakistan than Pakistan. It’s likely that Virat Kohli is longing to play in Pakistan. I have experience working in India, therefore I am aware of the reality. The TV sponsorship rights will skyrocket if India ends up in Pakistan. Sponsorship is not coming because they (India) are not arriving. Na aane ki wajah? On a television program, Shoaib Akhtar said to former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Hafeez, “Hukumat nahi chahti” (The government doesn’t want you to come).
CLICK HERE TO WATCH Shoaib Akhtar discuss India’s Champions Trophy 2025 visit to Pakistan.
“Virat Kohli and BCCI dying to play in Pakistan.”
— Abu Bakar Tarar (@abubakartarar_) December 4, 2024
Shoaib Akhtar ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/r7RamVY2fT
According to a source on the ESPNCricinfo website, the PCB presented their idea at last weekend’s meetings with the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Dubai, despite the fact that talks on the subject are still ongoing and the situation is still fluid. Beyond the 2025 CT, PCB was looking for a long-term deal that would let Pakistan to participate in ICC events outside of India. Whether these provisions will last for the next three years or until 2031, when the present rights cycle ends, has not yet been determined.
The 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka in February, the 2029 ICC Champions Trophy in October, and the 2031 ICC Cricket World Cup with Bangladesh in October-November are the three main men’s competitions that India is scheduled to hold till 2031. Next year, they will host the 50-over women’s World Cup in women’s cricket. Additionally, India is set to host the next Asia Cup in October 2025.
Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, had earlier stated on Sunday that “we will do what’s best for cricket.” According to a video released by PCB media, Naqvi told reporters, “It is definitely not a hybrid formula, but if a new formula is formed, it will be an equal one.”
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“One-sided agreements are unacceptable today. We cannot continue to travel to India when they do not travel to Pakistan. “Equality must be the foundation of everything that occurs,” he continued.
There are hints that the BCCI would not tolerate a hybrid format for the team’s competitions, despite its silence. Before making a final decision about the Champions Trophy, the ICC Board will meet again and review the PCB’s proposal. The ultimate ruling must be approved by the governments of both BCCI and PCB’s respective nations. ICC has tentatively scheduled a meeting for December 5.
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