Shahid Afridi. | (Image Credits: Twitter)
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has backed the resolute nature of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025. Taking to X, the ex all-rounder accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of placing the sport in a precarious position by not sending their team to Pakistan to play in the tournament.
Both PCB and BCCI have refused to budge, putting the venue for the Champions Trophy 2025 in a deadlock. With the BCCI refusing to send its Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has iterated it multiple times that they will not accept the hybrid model.
Meanwhile, Afridi took to X and wrote:
“By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB’s stance against the hybrid model – especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball series, post-26/11. It’s time for the ICC and its Board of Directors to uphold fairness and assert their authority.”
Pakistan are also the defending champions ahead of the Champions Trophy:
Pakistan, who are the designated hosts, are currently the defending champions as they won their maiden title in the 2017 edition by defeating India at The Oval in London. On the back of Fakhar Zaman’s 114, Team India were set a daunting 339 by Pakistan.
Pakistan’s sharp new-ball bowling, led by Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan, tore through India’s in-form batting order. Hardik Pandya’s scored a swashbuckling 76 but the Men in Green eventually won by 180 runs.
