「インドがパキスタンでプレーできないなら、我々が行く理由はない」――チャンピオンズトロフィー争いの真っただ中のシャヒド・アフリディ

The Champions Trophy 2025 continues to remain a hot topic. With each passing day, the conversations regarding the 8-team tournament are increasing. Governments, boards, cricketers, and fans—everyone’s included. The last addition to this contention issue is former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi’s comments. 

Pakistan cricket should take strong decisions: Afridi

He’d previously stated that security isn’t a concern and that the Indian cricket team should travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. But the safety of the player is exactly why the Indian government advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to not send the team to Pakistan. 

Now that it’s almost confirmed that India isn’t travelling to Pakistan and talks of a hybrid model being adopted, Afridi feels if India doesn’t come to Pakistan and participate in the Champions Trophy, the same should be done by Pakistan. “Pakistan cricket should be strong and self-sufficient and take strong, principled decisions. If India can’t come and play in Pakistan, then there is no reason for us to go and play any event in India,” Afridi told PTI.

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Shahid Afridi fires shots at ICC regarding Champions Trophy

The star all-rounder didn’t just advocate for a tit-for-tat treatment but also questioned the International Cricket Council (ICC). Afridi says, given the tournament is organised by the ICC, they must take full responsibility for India’s actions. But their actions say otherwise. It seems like they just want to make money. That’s why they continue to back the BCCI, the biggest moneymaker in cricket, instead of other boards, which in this case happens to be the PCB.

“Even the ICC now has to decide whether its responsibility is to ensure every member nation gets to play cricket or it just wants to make money,” he added. Afridi’s comment may seem outlandish, but a previous report had suggested that the ICC told the PCB that the Champions Trophy will go on with or without them and that they need to fall in line.