Shoaib Akhtar, the great cricketer from Pakistan, has alleged that BCCI is keen in sending the Indian cricket team across the border for the Champions Trophy next year, but the government has refused to give permission. According to Akhtar, even the superstar of the Indian batting list, Virat Kohli, “is dying” to play in Pakistan.
2025 Champions Trophy hangs in uncertainty as before BCCI has informed ICC that the Indian team will not come for the marquee event to Pakistan.
Recently ICC had held a board meeting to find a way out after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to accept Hybrid Model that would let India play its matches of the competition at a neutral venue.
“India is dying more than Pakistan to play in Pakistan,” Akhtar said on PTV Sports. “Virat Kohli probably is dying to play in Pakistan. India vs Pakistan matche will take their TV rights off the roof. The reason sponsorship isn’t coming is because India isn’t coming, their government isn’t letting them travel.”
“My prediction is that the Indian team will be coming to Pakistan in a year or two for a full series. People at BCCI like Jay Shah want it (sending the Indian team to Pakistan). But the current situation is not ideal. Backdoor diplomacy continues, but our relationship isn’t there yet. Once it’s there, they will come. I will predict that within a year or two, India will play a full series in Pakistan,” he said.
Akhtar dismissed the options for the Champions Trophy to be held in absence of India
“Can you do Champions Trophy without India? Logically, practically, financially? You can’t,” he said.
In the meantime, sources have reported that Shah has called the first meeting as the new ICC chairman on Thursday, December 5.