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After the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) around its refusal to send the team to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy, there have been several twists around the same with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi further refusing to host the tournament in a hybrid model.
Although, a decision on it is still awaited, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar shared his views on the issue with India and Pakistan both prepared to budge from their stand. Fondly called as ‘Rawalpindi Express’, Akhtar feels that everyone needs to look at a solution while agreeing that majority of sponsorship of ICC comes from India.
'There will be back channel talks. Even in days of war there are back channel talks. We should not lose hope. We have to look forward to a solution. We know a fact that 95-96 per cent of sponsorship for ICC comes from India,' Shoaib Akhtar said in an interview, as quoted by NDTV Sports.
Virat Kohli is trying to play in Pakistan for the first time: Shoaib Akhtar
Speaking in an interview, the former Pakistan spearhead added that it is for the first time that batting stalwart Virat Kohli is trying to play in Pakistan, however the final decision rests in the hands of the government. 'It's really up to the governments. It's nothing to do with the BCCI. Virat Kohli is trying to play in Pakistan for the first time. Pakistan wants to see Virat play in Pakistan. Imagine him scoring a century in Pakistan. It will be a full circle for him,” Akhtar added.
“Pakistan has got a tag that it cannot host big tournaments like World Cup. If this (Champions Trophy) happens it will be a stepping stone for bigger events. I don't think this will happen. Keeping the fingers crossed. Wait till the last moment. I think currently, as of now, India is coming to Pakistan,' he further added.
Watch Shoaib Akhtar open up on Virat Kohli’s interest to play in Pakistan:
At this moment, the ICC is in continuous talks with the PCB to host the tournament in hybrid model with India playing all its matches in the UAE. Moreover, the PCB has also addressed to India to express its concerns so that they can look into it and make all necessary steps to curb them to host the tournament entirely in the Pakistan.
