Former Pakistani Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing controversy over the holding of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, particularly criticizing the role of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In a recent interview with a local news channel, Akhtar expressed his support for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand for a larger share of revenue.
“You’re getting paid for hosting rights and revenue, and that’s okay – we all understand that. Pakistan’s position is also reasonable. They should have maintained a strong position, why not? As soon as 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. It’s a good decision,” Akhtar said.
Akhtar also expressed his desire to witness the Pakistan team defeating arch-rivals India at the latter’s home ground.
“In terms of playing in India in the future, we should extend the hand of friendship and go there. My belief has always been: go to India and beat them there. Play in India and beat them at home,” he commented. .
It is pertinent to mention here that the upcoming Champions Trophy is on hold following the BCCI’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan, while the PCB remains firm in its stance of opposing the hybrid model for the eight-team tournament.
However, in the latest turn of events, a new model called the “partnership formula” is being considered to end the impasse between the PCB and BCCI.
As per the new formula, Pakistan will also not play its matches in India during ICC events for the next three years. Dubai is most likely to be the neutral venue for both teams under the expected new deal.
India is scheduled to host three ICC events during this period, including the 2025 Women’s World Cup, co-hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka and the 2027 Champions Trophy.
Details were further disclosed that cricket’s apex body has advised the BCCI to accept the aforementioned model in a bid to avoid legal action from Pakistan and also to resolve the issue without a vote.
If the proposed formula is mutually agreed, there may be no need for a board meeting and cricket’s governing body will communicate the development to board members.
