After India’s alleged decision not to go to Pakistan, clouds of uncertainty are looming over the organization of the Champions Trophy 2025. In such a situation, former captain Shahid Afridi has urged the BCCI to think something else about this. Afridi wants India to come and play in Pakistan, as this will not only strengthen the cricketing ties between the two countries, but the audience of his country will also get a chance to see Virat Kohli play.
Kohli has played cricket almost all over the world except Pakistan. The prospect of him playing there always excites fans as Kohli has a lot of fans across the border. This could be Kohli’s last chance to play for India in Pakistan. Kohli has already retired from T20I, and is set to enter a very interesting phase of his career, in which his focus will be only on ODIs, Tests and IPL.
Shahid Afridi told News 24, “I will welcome Team India. Even when Pakistan used to tour, we used to get a lot of respect and love from India and when India came in 2005-06, all their players enjoyed it. There can be no better arrival of peace than India and Pakistan going to each other’s country and playing cricket. If Virat Kohli comes to Pakistan, he will forget the love and hospitality of India. They have a different level of their own.”
Due to political issues, a bilateral series has not been played between India and Pakistan for the last decade. Pakistan toured India for the 50 over World Cup last year and it was believed for a long time that India would repay this favor by going to Pakistan and playing.
According to reports, India’s matches were expected to be played in Lahore, which is close to the border, but ANI reported on Thursday that the BCCI is not keen on sending its team across the border and the board will talk to the ICC about the hybrid model.
On Virat Kohli’s retirement from T20I, Afridi said, “He should not have played T20 Internationals, because this format looked great with him. Why can’t he play? He is fit, in form. Above all, new players would have had more success with him. You cannot bring all the youngsters together, you need a combination of senior and junior players. What Virat can teach them, I don’t think anyone else can teach them?”
