"The hybrid model had already been signed earlier" - Shoaib Akhtar's massive claim on India-Pakistan 2025 Champions Trophy fiasco
Shoaib Akhtar has claimed that the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan had already been agreed to by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) much before the news became official. The former Pakistani pacer's remarks came a few hours after the PCB finally gave in to India's request for a hybrid model with their matches set to be played in the UAE.
After the BCCI made their intentions clear by refusing to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security reasons, PCB stayed put on hosting the event without giving in to the hybrid model. However, the latest developments indicate that the PCB has relented to the hybrid model should they gain increased revenue and a similar model be implemented for all the ICC events in India until 2031.
Speaking to a local news channel, Akhtar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times:
"In terms of playing in India in the future, we should extend a hand of friendship and go there. My belief has always been: go to India and defeat them there—India mein khelo aur wahi unhe maarke aao (play in India and beat them on their home ground). I understand that the hybrid model had already been signed earlier."
The hybrid model was used the last time Pakistan hosted a multi-national tournament, the 2023 Asia Cup, with Team India playing their matches in Sri Lanka.
"Pakistan's stance is also reasonable" - Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar felt Pakistan was correct in requesting a higher revenue for the 2025 Champions Trophy should a hybrid model be implemented.
India last traveled to Pakistan for an international event during the 2008 Asia Cup and the two teams last played a bilateral series back in India in 2012-13.
"You are getting paid for hosting rights and revenue, and that's fine—we all understand it. Pakistan's stance is also reasonable. They should have maintained a strong position—why not? Once we are able to host the Champions Trophy in our country and they are unwilling to come, they should share the revenue with us at a higher rate. That’s a good call," Akhtar said in the same interaction.
The Champions Trophy was last played in 2017 in England with Pakistan defeating India in the finale to win their maiden title.
India and Pakistan last met in the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York with the Men in Blue coming out on top by six runs.