ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Shoaib Akhtar shockingly claims 'Virat Kohli is trying to play in Pakistan'

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has opened up about the ongoing scheduling issue between India and Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Shoaib Akhtar said that the resolution will depend on the Indian government, rather than the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The BCCI recently decided not to send Team India to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy after consulting with the Indian government. In response, Pakistan has rejected the hybrid model where India would play their matches outside Pakistan. The PCB has written to the ICC regarding the BCCI's stance.

It Is Up To The BJP Government to resolve ICC Champions Trophy 2025 deadlock – Shoaib Akhtar

During a local interview, Shoaib Akhtar emphasized that the resolution depends on the Indian government, not the BCCI. Akhtar also stated that there will be backchannel talks, adding that Pakistan should not lose hope. He said that the majority of sponsorship for the ICC comes from India.

"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," Shoaib Akhtar said.

"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 and we know a fact that 95-98 percent of sponsorship for ICC comes from India," he added.

$100M loss #championstrophy2025 khabardar says shoaib Akhtar #ptvsportsofficial pic.twitter.com/AO0X08Zzew

— iffi Raza (@Rizzvi73) November 18, 2024

Virat Kohli Is Trying To Play In Pakistan – Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar highlighted that Pakistan could lose up to $100 million in sponsorship if India doesn't tour for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He also said that Virat Kohli is eager to play in Pakistan for the first time, and the entire nation is looking forward to seeing him there.

"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 come and play in Pakistan. But it's really, really up to the government. It has nothing to do with BCCI," Akhtar said in the same interview.

"Virat Kohli is trying to play in Pakistan for the first time. The 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 and it will be a full circle for him."

Team India Last Visited Pakistan for Asia Cup 2008

India last visited Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008. The two teams have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for an ODI and T20I series. India and Pakistan have faced each other in ICC events and Asia Cups, with their most recent clash during the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Pakistan had the right to host the 2023 Asia Cup, but they had to host the event in a hybrid model due to India's reluctance to travel. All of India's matches, including the final, were played in Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan has visited India for ICC events, with the most recent being the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Also read: Watch: Pat Cummins destroys team India; ridicules and mocks Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma