"Virat Kohli would probably be dying to play in Pakistan" - Shoaib Akhtar on 2025 Champions Trophy scheduling stand-off
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar believes India and their talisman Virat Kohli will be more desperate to play in Pakistan than the hosts themselves for television and sponsorship reasons. Akhtar's remarks came amidst the boiling tension between the two cricketing nations on the scheduling of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
While Pakistan is set to host the tournament, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed India's refusal to travel, citing security reasons. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) responded by rejecting India's proposal for a hybrid model.
However, they finally gave in and accepted the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy with the condition that a similar model be used for all ICC events in India until 2031.
Speaking on a local channel regarding the ongoing debacle, Akhtar 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."
When asked by another former Pakistan cricketer, Mohammad Hafeez on their reason for India not traveling, given the above benefits, Akhtar responded:
"Their government doesn't want them to come."
India haven't played an international game in Pakistan since the 50-over Asia Cup in 2008. Their last full tour of Pakistan (bilateral ODI and Test series) dates further back to 2005/06.
"The hybrid model had already been signed earlier" - Shoaib Akhtar
Earlier in the week, Shoaib Akhtar made another staggering claim, stating the hybrid model, which Pakistan have eventually accepted with the other caveats, had already been signed before official confirmation.
A similar model was used for the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, where India played their games in Sri Lanka. In the case of the 2025 Champions Trophy, India will likely play their matches in UAE should the hybrid model be confirmed.
Akhtar told a local news channel:
"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."
India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012-13, when the Men in Green toured India for two T20Is and three ODIs.
Yet, the two teams have since met at neutral venues in several multi-national tournaments.