Shahid Afridi Calls On Team India To Play In Pakistan For 2025 Champions Trophy

Shahid Afridi has urged Team India and Virat Kohli to participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. He stressed the importance of separating sports from politics and highlighted the mutual respect and admiration shared by fans of both nations.

India has not played any cricket matches in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to strained diplomatic relations following the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. The last bilateral series between the two countries was held on Indian soil in 2012-13, featuring two T20Is and three ODIs.

The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. However, reports suggest that India might not travel to Pakistan. Instead, the ICC may adopt a hybrid model where India plays its matches in UAE or Sri Lanka.

Ahead of this event, Shahid Afridi made a bold comment about Virat Kohli. He urged the Indian team to come and play in Pakistan, expressing his admiration for Kohli. Afridi stated that Kohli has a massive fan following in Pakistan.

"Virat Kohli will forget the love he has for India when he comes to Pakistan. There is a lot of craze in Pakistan. People like him a lot in Pakistan. He is my favourite player. He should not have retired from T20Is," Afridi said to News24.

Past Tours and Mutual Respect

Afridi reminisced about past tours where both teams received immense respect and love from each other's fans. "I welcome the Indian team to Pakistan. We have gotten a lot of respect in India when Pakistan has toured India. The Pakistan team also got a lot of love in India when we toured in 2005," he added.

He emphasised that sports should be kept away from politics, stating, "There is nothing better than politics than both teams playing cricket against each other. Indians coming into Pakistan, Pakistanis going to India--what can be more beautiful than that."

The situation remains uncertain as it is yet to be seen how things unfold if India sticks to its stance. If ICC follows the hybrid model, adjustments may be necessary for both sides.