'Go to India and defeat them there...' - Shoaib Akhtar places clear stance on Pakistan's situation ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

The India-Pakistan dispute regarding the Champions Trophy 2025 tournament is almost on the verge of being solved. Pakistan have the hosting rights for the tournament, and BCCI showed no interest in going to the neighbouring country for the tournament because of safety concerns. Hence, former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar urges PCB to accept the hybrid model and then go to India in the future and 'beat them' on the field. 

"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)," said Shoaib Akhtar.

As per reports, ICC is considering the hybrid model for the tournament because of India's reluctance to travel. Also, except for Pakistan, no country has opposed the model. If Pakistan agrees to it, they will also get extra benefits from the ICC. However, PCB is stern about asking India to travel to their country, despite knowing the political differences between them. After the 2008 terror attacks in India, the players were stopped from going to Pakistan, and this time, too, there is a possibility that the same would happen.

The effort is to ensure a win-win for all: PCB Chairman

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is about to give an official confirmation on the hybrid model but it's almost done. ICC will choose the venues for the other hosts including Pakistan. Most probably, UAE will be their first preference because of the earlier tournaments that have taken place in the venue. 

"I don’t want to comment too much because that can ruin things. We have given our point of view (to the ICC), the Indians have also given theirs. The effort is to ensure a win-win for all," Naqvi said.