Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has stated that India’s star batsman “Virat Kohli is trying to play in Pakistan” in the 2025 Champions Trophy and Pakistani fans are eager to watch him bat in their nation. “Imagine Kohli scoring a 100 in Lahore, life would come full circle for him,” he said, adding “India should come here and play".
Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had released the draft schedule of the Champions Trophy a few months ago, the BCCI had recently revealed that they did not receive permission from the Indian government to send their national team to the neighbouring nation. However, the PCB also remains adamant in not having the tournament in the hybrid model, according to which India will play their matches in a different venue.
Speaking to PTV Sports, Akhtar said it would be a sight to behold if Kohli plays in Pakistan and especially he scores a hundred there. Akhtar also reckons the Champions Trophy will be a decisive event for the PCB as it will act as a stepping stone to host more events in the future.
"It will be so much better if India in Pakistan in Lahore against India, winning against India in Pakistan and vice-versa, India winning against Pakistan in Pakistan, it would have been nice. But it's really upto the government, it's got nothing to do with the BCCI. Virat Kohli is trying to play in Pakistan for the first time. The whole Pakistan wants to see him in Pakistan and would have been a sight right? Virat aake yahan score na kare toh accha hai. (It would be good if he doesn't come and score here). But imagine him coming and scoring a hundred in Lahore. His life circle would be complete."
"Pakistan has the tag that it can't host big tournaments when it comes to Champions Trophy, World Cups, It's ice breaking and a stepping stone, then Pakistan will be able to host them for the first time in the last two decades."
"ICC is now BCCI because Jay Shah is set to become Chairman of ICC" - Najam Sethi
Meanwhile, former PCB chairman Najam Sethi slammed the ICC for not raising their voice against the BCCI due to the latter majority revenue for them. He said during an interview with a local channel, as quoted by CricketPakistan.pk:
"ICC is very weak and will never stand against BCCI because ICC depends on the revenue of BCCI. ICC is not ICC anymore. ICC is now BCCI because Jay Shah is set to become Chairman of ICC. Incase, Government of Pakistan contacts Narendra Modi then there is possibility that the latter would allow the Indian Cricket Team to visit Pakistan for Champions Trophy."
