Shoaib Akhtar: ‘Kohli, India Eager to Play in Pakistan

The fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy remains unclear. The BCCI has firmly stated that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan, the designated hosts, citing a lack of government clearance. On the other hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected the idea of hosting the tournament under a hybrid model. Recent…


The fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy remains unclear. The BCCI has firmly stated that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan, the designated hosts, citing a lack of government clearance. On the other hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected the idea of hosting the tournament under a hybrid model.

Recent reports suggested that the PCB showed some flexibility, agreeing to a hybrid model where India’s matches would be played in Dubai, albeit with conditions. However, sources told NDTV that the BCCI has rejected these conditions, as the PCB demanded similar hybrid arrangements for ICC events hosted in India.

Amid this diplomatic deadlock, former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar stirred controversy with his bold claims. “India is more eager than Pakistan to play in Pakistan. Virat Kohli would probably be desperate to play there. The only obstacle is government clearance. If an India-Pakistan match happens, TV rights and sponsorship deals will skyrocket,” Akhtar remarked during a TV discussion.


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Meanwhile, newly-appointed ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who also serves as the BCCI Secretary, has remained silent on the Champions Trophy issue. Instead, he outlined his focus on leveraging cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and boosting the women’s game.

Adding to the intrigue, Cricbuzz reported that Shah has called for a virtual board meeting on December 5, though the agenda remains unspecified. Whether the Champions Trophy will feature in the discussions is yet to be seen.