Shoaib Akhtar's Bold Claim: 'India's Virat Kohli Eager to Play in Pakistan' amidst Champions Trophy Controversy

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently stirred controversy by stating that India and Virat Kohli are keen on playing cricket in Pakistan, but are being held back by their government. The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) announcement that the Indian team will not be participating in next year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan has placed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a difficult position. Many former Pakistan cricketers have voiced their disappointment and frustration over the BCCI's decision.

The BCCI has officially sent a letter to the ICC stating that it won't send the Indian team to Pakistan and asking them to adopt the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. However, PCB was adamant about hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan but eventually gave it after they were reportedly left on the verge of losing hosting rights.

Akhtar has now claimed that the BCCI and Kohli want to play in Pakistan, as the TV and sponsorship rights would go off the roof if it happens.

"India is dying more than Pakistan to play in Pakistan; Virat Kohli would probably be dying to play in Pakistan. I had worked in India with the BCCI, if India land in Pakistan to play, their TV rights and sponsorship are gonna go off the roof," Akhtar said on live television.

Mohammad Hafeez, who was also part of the discussion asked him, “What is the reason for them not to come?”

Akhtar bluntly stated that the government's decision is not holding them back from playing in Pakistan.

'Their government doesn't want them to come," Akhtar stated.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi recently addressed the media, where he all but confirmed that the Champions Trophy will be played in a hybrid model. However, the board has put a condition that the ICC will only allow the same arrangement for events held in India until 2031.

"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. Cricket should win, that's most important but with respect for all. We are going to do what's best for cricket. Whichever formula we go for, it would be on equal terms," Naqvi told the reporters.

The PCB chief said that it's important to ensure that cricket should win while, at the same time, Pakistan's pride also remains intact.

"Pakistan's pride is most important. We have to ensure that cricket wins but Pakistan's pride also remains intact," he added.