Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has shown discontent over the prolonged deliberations over the ICC Champions Trophy. All parties are reportedly agreed to a hybrid model for the event, though the PCB has listed some requirements for its approval. The board and its chief, Najam Sethi, were initially adamant on staging the entire tournament in Pakistan, but it appears the recent deliberations with the ICC have softened their stance. However, they have maintained that the ICC events held in India should also be on a hybrid model.
Shoaib Akhtar supported the demand of the PCB for a greater share of revenues given the hybrid format of the tournament. However, he differed with the PCB’s stand that the national team would not go to India to attend any future ICC events.
“Getting paid for hosting rights and revenue is believable, and Pakistan’s requirements were rational. They should have gone all guns blazing. Now, if we get to host the Champions Trophy and if India don’t want to travel, they should offset us with a better revenue, that’s a fair call, says Akhtar.
Stressing the PCB should send across the Pakistan team to India for competitions in the coming days and with a spirit of friendliness from them, “My belief has always been to go to India and defeat them at their own home. We prepare this sort of team that has wins in India.”.
Recent developments are suggesting that India’s matches might be held in Dubai, with one semi-final and the final also possibly being hosted there, depending on how far India goes in the competition. If India does not progress, then both semi-finals and the final could be held in Pakistan.
