NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar recently took centre stage as he joined the Champions Trophy tour in Pakistan, displaying his excitement for the prestigious ICC tournament set to take place in 2025.
Sharing a moment of pride on social media, Akhtar posted a photo on platform X (formerly Twitter), captioned: “Landed back in Pakistan to this beauty. Champions Trophy in the house!!”
Despite the celebratory mood, the road to hosting the Champions Trophy remains steeped in uncertainty.
Tensions persist over whether the tournament will occur in Pakistan, feature a hybrid model, or be shifted entirely.
The debate gained momentum when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India would not send its team to Pakistan, citing security and diplomatic concerns.
In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly opposed a hybrid model, arguing that hosting the tournament in its entirety is vital for showcasing Pakistan as a viable venue for international cricket.
The ICC, meanwhile, faces a challenging balancing act as it considers the implications of the standoff.
Akhtar recently weighed in on the issue in an interview, saying, “It’s really up to the governments. It’s nothing to do with the BCCI. It is up to the BJP government. They will decide.”
“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 95-98 per cent of sponsorship for ICC comes from India,” the former fast bowler added.
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The stakes are high. Akhtar noted that Pakistan risks losing significant revenue if the Champions Trophy is relocated, while also missing a crucial opportunity to shed the stigma of being an unsuitable host for marquee events.
“If Pakistan fails to convince India to come to Pakistan, then two things will happen: Pakistan will lose about 100 million dollars of the sponsorship that will go to ICC and the host country will earn. Second, it would be better if India comes and plays in Pakistan. But it’s really, really up to the government. It has nothing to do with BCCI.”
In a lighter vein, Akhtar also pictured the excitement of Indian star Virat Kohli playing in Pakistan, adding, “Virat Kohli is trying to play in Pakistan for the first time. Entire Pakistan wants to see Virat play in Pakistan. Imagine him scoring a century in Pakistan. It will be good; he doesn’t score a century here and gets out early. It will be a full circle for him.”