NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar not too long ago took centre stage as he joined the Champions Trophy tour in Pakistan, displaying his pleasure for the celebrated ICC match set to happen in 2025.
Sharing a second of pleasure on social media, Akhtar posted a photograph on platform X (previously Twitter), captioned: “Landed again in Pakistan to this magnificence. Champions Trophy in the home!!”
Regardless of the celebratory temper, the street to internet hosting the Champions Trophy stays steeped in uncertainty.
Tensions persist over whether or not the match will happen in Pakistan, function a hybrid mannequin, or be shifted solely.
The controversy gained momentum when the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) knowledgeable the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) that India wouldn’t ship its group to Pakistan, citing safety and diplomatic issues.
In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly opposed a hybrid mannequin, arguing that internet hosting the match in its entirety is significant for showcasing Pakistan as a viable venue for worldwide cricket.
The ICC, in the meantime, faces a difficult balancing act because it considers the implications of the standoff.
Akhtar not too long ago weighed in on the difficulty in an interview, saying, “It is actually as much as the governments. It is nothing to do with the BCCI. It’s as much as the BJP authorities. They may resolve.”
“There will likely be again channel talks. Even in days of battle, there are again channel talks. We must always not lose hope. We have now to look ahead to an answer. We all know a proven fact that 95-98 per cent of sponsorship for ICC comes from India,” the previous quick bowler added.
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The stakes are excessive. Akhtar famous that Pakistan dangers shedding vital income if the Champions Trophy is relocated, whereas additionally lacking an important alternative to shed the stigma of being an unsuitable host for marquee occasions.
“If Pakistan fails to persuade India to return to Pakistan, then two issues will occur: Pakistan will lose about 100 million {dollars} of the sponsorship that can go to ICC and the host nation will earn. Second, it will be higher if India comes and performs in Pakistan. But it surely’s actually, actually as much as the federal government. It has nothing to do with BCCI.”
In a lighter vein, Akhtar additionally pictured the thrill of Indian star Virat Kohli enjoying in Pakistan, including, “Virat Kohli is attempting to play in Pakistan for the primary time. Total Pakistan desires to see Virat play in Pakistan. Think about him scoring a century in Pakistan. It is going to be good; he would not rating a century right here and will get out early. It is going to be a full circle for him.”
