- By Gurmeet Batra
- Tue, 03 Dec 2024 09:49 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hosting controversy is heating up, former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has dropped an explosive statement suggesting his team go to India and beat the arch-rivals in their home ground.
Notably, India have made its stance very clear that it will not be travelling to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025. Now various media reports suggest that the highly anticipated tournament is likely to be played in a hybrid model.
As per the media reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have also put some conditions, stating that they won’t travel to India in future for ICC tournaments before accepting hybrid mode.
However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to make an official announcement regarding the Champions Trophy controversy.
Amid this row, Akhtar was pleased with PCB's stance on the ongoing controversy, stating that Pakistan should receive higher revenue.
"You are getting paid for hosting rights and revenue, and that's fine-we all understand it. 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 unwilling to come, they should share the revenue with us at a higher rate. That's a good call," Akhtar said on a Pakistan News Channel.
The former speedster urged Pakistan to tour India in future and defeat the arch-rival in their own backyard.
"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 on their home ground). I understand that the hybrid model had already been signed earlier," he added.
