Islamabad: Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has claimed that the Indian cricket team, along with star batter Virat Kohli, is “desperate” to play in Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but their government is preventing them from doing so.
During a television analysis program, Akhtar made the revelation, stating, “India and Virat Kohli are more eager to play in Pakistan than we are to host them. I have worked with the BCCI in India, and I know for a fact that if the Indian team plays in Pakistan, it would generate massive revenue from TV rights and sponsorships.”
Government Restrictions Preventing India’s Visit
When former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez asked why India is reluctant to visit, Akhtar replied, “It’s not the players or the cricket board. It’s their government that doesn’t want them to come to Pakistan.”
The Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have reportedly decided against sending their team to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, creating a dilemma for the International Cricket Council (ICC). The decision has also strained relations between the two cricket boards.
PCB’s Firm Stance
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated Pakistan’s stance, making it clear that Pakistan will not play in India if the Indian team refuses to visit Pakistan. “It cannot be a one-sided relationship where we go to India, but they refuse to come here,” Naqvi said.
Neutral Venue Proposal
In response to India’s refusal, the PCB has proposed a new formula for future ICC events. According to this proposal, both teams will play their matches at neutral venues for the next three years. This arrangement would prevent Pakistan from traveling to India and vice versa, ensuring that bilateral tensions do not affect major ICC tournaments.
The ICC now faces a challenging task of balancing relations between the two cricketing giants, as the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan remains under threat due to political tensions.
