 "Champions Trophy 2025: Shoaib Akhtar feels BJP is behind BCCI's tough stand")
Shoaib Akhtar is hopeful that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 impasse will soon be resolved, as the PCB and BCCI remain at odds over their differing stances. The schedule for the Champions Trophy was to be announced earlier this month but BCCI’s refusal to send Team India for the tournament in Pakistan in February-March 2025 has put things in limbo.
While PCB is adamant that the Champions Trophy will be held entirely in Pakistan , the International Cricket Council (ICC) is busy in making them agree to a Hybrid Model that will see India play their matches in a neutral venue, most likely in the UAE.
Shoaib Akhtar blames BJP for Champions Trophy limbo
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has meanwhile said that it’s not the BCCI that is proving to be a stumbling block but the BJP-led government in India which is creating an issue over Team India travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
“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 on PTV Sports. “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.”
$100M loss #championstrophy2025 khabardar says shoaib Akhtar #ptvsportsofficial pic.twitter.com/AO0X08Zzew
— iffi Raza (@Rizzvi73) November 18, 2024
The 49-year-old said that India not coming to Pakistan would lead to major financial losses for PCB.
“We know a fact that 95-98 per cent of sponsorship for ICC comes from India. 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 comes and plays in Pakistan. But it’s really, really up to the government. It has nothing to do with BCCI,” Akhtar said.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts‘Entire Pakistan wants to see Virat play in Pakistan’
The legendary fast bowler added that Virat Kohli playing in Pakistan will be a sight to behold and it will also add more meaning to his cricketing career.
“Virat Kohli is trying to play in Pakistan for the first time. 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. It will be a full circle for him,” Akhtar added.
It has been reported that PCB will lose 65 million hosting rights if ICC decides to host the Champions Trophy outside Pakistan.
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