Former Pakistan National Cricket Team player Shoaib Akhtar made a public statement ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said that Virat Kohli and Team India would aspire to play in Pakistan but their government would not allow them.
Indian National Cricket Team will not visit Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The dream of Pakistani fans to see Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and other Indian stars play in Pakistan will remain a dream as the Indian government does. I agree to send the team to Pakistan for security reasons.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has gone all out to bring India to their home country for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has gone all out to bring the Indian National Cricket Team to their home country. But it didn’t work despite their strong efforts, BCCI did not agree to travel and hence ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be played in Hybrid model.
Recently, ICC, PCB and BCCI were involved in the meeting. It is learned that the host nation has agreed to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model, but has put two conditions on accepting it. They want more share of ICC revenue and also want all events scheduled in India till 2031 to be played in Hybrid model.
BCCI rejects PCB demands to adopt hybrid model
Recent reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board has kept its demands before the BCCI and the ICC to adopt a hybrid model have been rejected by the Indian body.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) will soon announce the schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament will most likely be played in the Hybrid model. Under this, all India’s matches, one semi-final and the final will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the remaining matches will be played in Pakistan.
Virat Kohli would probably aspire to play for Pakistan – Shoaib Akhtar
Talking about India not going to Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar claimed that Virat Kohli would be more willing to play for Pakistan along with the BCCI. He said that if BCCI plays in their country, then their TV rights sponsorship will also be available. Speaking on the TV channel, he explained it as follows:
“India is dying to play in Pakistan more than Pakistan. Virat Kohli would probably be dying to play in Pakistan. I know what happened. If India and Pakistan come together, TV rights sponsorship will come. Let me tell you. They are not coming because of the government.”
An Indian team that includes big names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma playing for Pakistan would be a big boost for the Pakistan National Cricket Team. Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah and others have played all over the world but not in Pakistan. Whether they will ever play in the country remains to be seen.
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