 "Virat Kohli commands a huge fan following in Pakistan despite not travelling to the country even once. AP")
Amid reports that the Indian cricket team will not be travelling to Pakistan for the 2025 IC Champions Trophy, legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi has made a case for why the Men in Blue must visit Men in Green’s backyard. Afridi said that the Pakistan cricket team has always received a lot of love and respect while travelling to India and it will be the same for Rohit Sharma and Co if they visit Pakistan.
Afridi also added that Virat Kohli is hugely popular in Pakistan and if he visits the country, the fandom for the batter would make him forget the admiration he has received from Indian fans.
“I welcome the Indian team (in Pakistan) and they should come. We’ve always received huge respect and love in our tours of India. In the same way, the Indian team also received love and respect during their tour in 2005. Cricket tours should be kept aside from politics. There is no big politics than India and Pakistan playing against each other in their countries,” Afridi told News24 Sports’ YouTube channel.
“Virat will forget the love he has received in India when he would play in Pakistan. He has a huge craze in Pakistan and our people like him very much. In fact, he is my favourite player. He has his own class and he shouldn’t have retired from T20Is as because of him T20I looked beautiful,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsOn Thursday, it was reported that India are not willing to travel to Pakistan and are set to ask the ICC for a neutral venue.
The 2025 Champions Trophy, an eight-team tournament, is scheduled to be played from 19 February to 9 March in Pakistan.
Team India has not travelled to Pakistan since 2008 while the last time India and Pakistan played a bilateral series was in 2012-13 in India.
The two arch-rivals now only face off against each other in ICC tournaments.
Future of Indian cricket
Looking at the future of Indian cricket, Afridi said that Shubman Gill could be the player who can match the stature of Sachin Tendulkar and Kohli.
He also commented on the impact of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which he believes has helped India create a massive talent pool.
“IPL has created so much talent pool for India that they can make two teams,” Afridi said.