I still think the Indian team will come to Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar

WEB DESK: Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, in an interview with the Indian media, has said that he still believes Indian cricket team will come to Pakistan to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Akhtar said that there will be back-channel talks between the two countries regarding the Champions Trophy, and a resolution will be reached. “We should not lose hope, but we have to wait for a solution,” he said.

The former cricket star said there is no denying that 95 per cent to 96 per cent of sponsorship comes from India to the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is why the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is acting this way.

He said that the ultimately the decision of Pakistan or India team playing the tournament really is in the hands of the governments, and neither the BCCI nor the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) can do anything about it.

Shoaib Akhtar said, “Imagine Virat Kohli coming to Pakistan and playing and scoring a century.”

He said that Pakistan cannot host a big tournament like the World Cup, but if the Champions Trophy is held in the country, it will pave the way for bigger events. “I still think the Indian team will come to Pakistan,” he added.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy: Schedule continues to be delayed