“I will welcome Team India”: Shahid Afridi amid Champions Trophy row

Former Pakistan captain urged the BCCI to let India travel to Pakistan as that will help the cricketing ties between the two nations grow

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With the BCCI considering not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, former Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi has urged them to think otherwise. Afridi wants India to come and play in Pakistan, as it will not just help the cricketing ties between two nations grow but will also give the crowd in his country the opportunity to witness Virat Kohli play.

After the Pakistan team visited India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, it was expected that India would return the favour by going to play in Pakistan. As per reports, India’s matches were expected to be played in Lahore, which is close to the border, however on Thursday, ANI reported that BCCI is not keen to send their team across the border and this has once again proposed a hybrid model, much like the Asia Cup last year.

Kohli has played for India all around the world except Pakistan. The prospect of him playing there has always been exciting as Kohli fans are abundant across the border. The last time India toured Pakistan was back in 2006 when Kohli was still two years away from his India debut. For the 35-year-old Kohli, this could be his last opportunity to represent India in Pakistan.

“I will welcome Team India. Even when Pakistan used to tour, we received a lot of respect and love from India, and when India came in 2005-06, all their players enjoyed. There is no better advent of peace than India and Pakistan going to each other’s country and playing cricket. If Virat Kohli comes to Pakistan, he’ll forget the love and hospitality of India. He has his own class,” Afridi told News 24.

There is still no confirmation as to whether Team India will travel across the border to participate in the ICC tournament that will take place next year.

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