ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Shoaib Akhtar drops 'Virat Kohli, India will be dying' bombshell on Pakistan visit

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team pacer Shoaib Akhtar came up with a massive statement ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said that Virat Kohli and Team India would be dying to play in Pakistan but their government won't allow them

India National Cricket Team won't be travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The dream of Pakistan fans to see Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and other Indian stars play in Pakistan will remain a dream as the Indian government didn't agree to send the team to Pakistan due to security reasons.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gave its best to bring India to their own country for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gave its best to bring India National Cricket Team to their own country. But this didn't work as despite their strong efforts, BCCI didn't agree to travel, and hence, it is expected that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in a Hybrid model.

The ICC, PCB, and BCCI were involved in the meeting recently. It was learned that the hosting nation has agreed to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model but they have put in two conditions to accept it. They want a greater share of the ICC revenue and also want all events that are slated in India till 2031 to be played in a Hybrid model.

BCCI denies demands of PCB to accept hybrid model

The recent reports of the Pakistan Cricket Board keeping demands in front of BCCI and ICC to accept the hybrid model were rejected by the Indian body.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) soon will be announcing the schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament will most likely be played in the Hybrid model. As per that, all the India games, along with one semi-final and the final, will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the rest of the matches will be played in Pakistan.

Virat Kohli would probably be dying to play in Pakistan - Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar, while talking about India not travelling to Pakistan, claimed that Virat Kohli, along with BCCI, would be more than eager to play in Pakistan. He said that if BCCI plays in his country, then their TV rights sponsorships are going to hit the roof. Speaking on a TV channel, he explained:

"India is dying more than Pakistan to play in Pakistan. Virat Kohli would probably be dying to play in Pakistan. I know what is happening. If India vs Pakistan lands, TV rights sponsorships are going to hit the roof. Let me tell you tell you. They are not coming because of the government."

Indian team including the likes of big names in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma playing in Pakistan would have been a massive boost for the Pakistan National Cricket Team. Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah, and others have played in all parts of the world but haven't played in Pakistan. It remains to be seen if they ever play in the country or not.

Also Read: Nathan Lyon issues 'Mitchell Marsh will bowl' warning to India despite all-rounder's injury concerns