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Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar made a bold claim regarding the Indian cricket team and star batter Virat Kohli amid the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 row. The former cricketer said that while the BCCI has been denied visiting Pakistan for the ICC tournament, the Indian team and talismanic batter Kohli are eager to visit the neighbouring nation. Notably, the BCCI has formally communicated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it will not send the Indian team.
Not only this, but the board has also suggested implementing a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. While the PCB showed insistence on hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan, they eventually relented after facing the possibility of losing hosting rights. Amid all the ongoing fiasco, the former Pakistani bowler has claimed that the team and Kohli are keen on playing in Pakistan.
India is dying more than Pakistan to play in Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar
The former bowler said, “India is dying more than Pakistan to play in Pakistan; Virat Kohli would probably be dying to play in Pakistan. I had worked in India with the BCCI, if India land in Pakistan to play, their TV rights and sponsorship are gonna go off the roof.” On being asked the reason for India's absence, he replied, “Their government doesn't want them to come.”
Recently, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi commented in the media and hinted at the chances of hosting the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model. He said, "I don't want to comment too much because that can ruin things. We have given our point of view (to the ICC), the Indians have also given theirs. The effort is to ensure a win-win for all. Cricket should win, that's most important but with respect for all. We are going to do what's best for cricket. Whichever formula we go for, it would be on equal terms.”
