ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Shoaib Akhtar re-ignites India vs Pakistan controversy after settlement

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has shared his views on the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 controversy, as he expressed his mixed reactions to the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) handling of the matter with the governing body and India.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has the hosting rights to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and they wanted to host the entire tournament in Pakistan, but it will now reportedly be played under a hybrid model after intense negotiations with the BCCI and ICC following India’s refusal to cross the border.

Shoaib Akhtar stresses competitive spirit over political rivalry with India

Well, Shoaib Akhtar backed PCB’s push for a larger share of revenue, citing the hybrid hosting arrangement for the Champions Trophy 2025, but the legendary pacer slammed the board’s stubbornness not to send the Pakistan cricket team to India for future ICC events as their revenge.

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The commentator has further urged the PCB to focus on fostering competitiveness and building a team capable of defeating India on their home turf, not taking revenge on India, as they are not traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 after the Asia Cup 2023.

The legendary speedster highlighted the importance of maintaining a realistic approach, emphasizing the need for Pakistan to participate in the ICC tournaments hosted by India to gain benefit from the hosting rights and revenue arrangements.

Akhtar backs PCB's revenue push but questions India's stance on ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Shoaib Akhtar said during a TV show covering the ZIM vs PAK match: “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.”

Shoaib believes that Pakistan must participate in future ICC events in India and focus on building a strong team capable of defeating India on their home ground. He also called for maintaining friendly ties with India, but on the field, the Men in Green must show their strength and power through their competitive performances against the Men in Blue.

The hybrid model had already been signed earlier: Shoaib Akhtar

Surprisingly, the former Pakistan pacer alleged that the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025 was already signed a long time before the ongoing drama by the PCB. Notably, if India doesn't qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025 knockouts, then the semifinals and final will be held in Pakistan.

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Akhtar signed off by saying, “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.”

Hybrid Model pehle decide ho gaya tha. Shoaib Akhtar
VC PTV sports official pic.twitter.com/6nZEthwHH3

— iffi Raza (@Rizzvi73) December 1, 2024