Shoaib Akhtar advices PCB to reverse stance, says 'India mein khelo aur wahi unhe maarke aao'

Ex-Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar

Although not official yet but going by the recent media address by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has agreed to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in 'Hybrid' model. In all likelihood all participating teams would be traveling to Pakistan except for India, who had earlier expressed their desire to play their matches in Dubai. Pakistan, however, have presented certain conditions of their own. The first being an increase in revenue as the tournament will also be played outside the country. In addition, the PCB has mentioned that all ICC events scheduled to be played in India till 2031 should follow a similar pattern.

As the topic is still not, ex-Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar was asked to weigh-in on the subject while he was speaking on a Pakistan channel. Akhtar expressed that the demand for an increase in revenue to be a "good call" but also mentioned that 'Hybrid' model was signed earlier. He also advocated that Pakistan should travel to India for cricketing engagements and defeat the Men In Blue at their home soil.

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"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.

"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.

Hybrid Model pehle decide ho gaya tha. Shoaib AkhtarVC PTV sports official pic.twitter.com/6nZEthwHH3
iffi Raza (@Rizzvi73) December 1, 2024

An official announcement on the same will be made soon as Jay Shah on Sunday took over as the new ICC Chairman, making him the fifth Indian to hold the position. The schedule is yet to be out but the tournament will be played in the months of February and March next year.