Former Pakistan captain and legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi has unleashed a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 drama. The legendary cricketer accused the Indian cricket board of endangering international cricket by “intertwining politics with sports”.
Shahid Afridi, known for his outspoken nature, has expressed his strong opposition to the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which has sparked a war between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Shahid Afridi slams BCCI over ICC Champions Trophy 2025, accuses India of mixing politics with cricket
The legendary all-rounder has further argued that the decision to move Indian matches out of Pakistan would be a direct influence of political interference by the Indian government, which would eventually undermine the spirit of the game.
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Furthermore, Shahid Afridi expressed his unwavering support for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) stance against the hybrid model, while highlighting the hypocrisy of the situation. He noted that despite security concerns, Pakistan has undertaken several tours of India since the November 26, 2011 attacks, including a bilateral white-ball series.
But India has continually refused to cross the border, and because of this, Pakistan had to host the 2023 Asia Cup in a hybrid model, with the Men in Green playing their matches in Sri Lanka. And now the BCCI wants the same arrangement for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, citing security fears, which is totally unfair.
BCCI has put international cricket in a precarious position: Shahid Afridi
The former all-rounder has also called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its board to take a strong stance and uphold the principles of fairness in cricket, warning that allowing such political influence would set a dangerous example for the future of the game.
Shahid Afridi posted on his X on Thursday: “By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has put international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB’s stance against the hybrid model, especially as Pakistan (despite security concerns) has undertaken five tours of India, including a bilateral white-ball series, after 26/11. “It is time for the ICC and its Board of Directors to uphold justice and assert their authority.”
By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has put international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB’s stance against the hybrid model, especially as Pakistan (despite security concerns) has undertaken five tours of India, including a bilateral white tour… pic.twitter.com/Xl4YBhCWuB
– Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 28, 2024
Hybrid format best option to resolve India-Pakistan drama: ICC
The ICC is set to hold an online meeting on Friday, November 29 to decide the fate of the eight-nation tournament, and the PCB is said to be in agreement on the hybrid model, but there is no confirmation on the same. . However, the ICC left Pakistan with only one option regarding the event.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan loses hosting rights after officially rejecting hybrid model
An ICC source was quoted by news agency PTI: “Right now, the hybrid format is the best option. We hope that all parties involved make a smart decision for the good of the tournament. “It is not good for the tournament to have it without India and Pakistan.”
Notably, Reliance and Star Sports have recently joined forces to create a new entity called ‘JioStar’. As a result of this merger, while the hosting rights of the ICC tournament remain with Star Sports, the Champions Trophy 2025 will mark the first major event to be broadcast under the ‘JioStar’ brand.