Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has shared his views on the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 controversy, and expressed his mixed reactions on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s handling of the matter ( PCB) with the governing body and India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and wanted to host the entire tournament in Pakistan, but it will now reportedly be played under a hybrid model after intense negotiations with the BCCI and the ICC following India’s decision. refusal to cross the border.
Shoaib Akhtar highlights competitive spirit over political rivalry with India
Well, Shoaib Akhtar backed PCB’s push for a bigger revenue share, citing the hybrid hosting deal for the Champions Trophy 2025, but the legendary pacer criticized the board’s stubbornness in not sending the Pakistan cricket team to India for future ICC events as revenge.
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The commentator further urged the PCB to focus on fostering competitiveness and building a team capable of defeating India on their own turf, without taking revenge on India as they will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 after the Asia Cup 2023. .
The legendary speedster highlighted the importance of maintaining a realistic approach, emphasizing the need for Pakistan to participate in ICC tournaments hosted by India to benefit from hosting rights and revenue deals.
Akhtar backs PCB’s revenue drive but questions India’s stance on ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Shoaib Akhtar said during a TV show covering the ZIM vs PAK match: “They pay you for hosting rights and revenue, and that’s fine, we all understand that. Pakistan’s stance is also reasonable. They should have maintained a strong position; why not? Once we are able to host the Champions Trophy in our country and they are not willing to come, they should share the revenue with us at a higher rate. “That’s a good decision.”
Shoaib believes Pakistan should participate in future ICC events in India and focus on building a strong team capable of defeating India on their own turf. He also called for maintaining friendly ties with India, but on the field, the Men in Green must demonstrate their strength and power through their competitive performances against the Men in Blue.
The hybrid model had already been signed previously: Shoaib Akhtar
Surprisingly, the former Pakistan pacer alleged that the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025 was already signed much before the ongoing drama by the PCB. Notably, if India fails to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions Trophy 2025, the semi-finals and final will be held in Pakistan.
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Akhtar signed off saying, “In terms of playing in India in the future, we should extend a hand of friendship and go there. My belief has always been: go to India and defeat them there. India mein khelo aur wahi unhe maarke aao (play in India and beat them at home). I understand that the hybrid model had already been signed before.”
First we had to decide on the hybrid model. Shoaib Akhtar
VC PTV Sports Officer pic.twitter.com/6nZEthwHH3– iffi Raza (@Rizzvi73) December 1, 2024