xtratime Logo

Xtra Time Web Desk: As the 2025 Champions Trophy faces uncertainty with India's reported reluctance to travel to Pakistan, former captain Shahid Afridi has made a passionate appeal to the BCCI. Afridi is urging India to reconsider and participate in the tournament in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of this gesture for cricketing relations between the two nations.

Afridi highlights that India's presence in Pakistan would significantly bolster the cricketing ties, giving Pakistani fans a unique chance to witness Virat Kohli play on their home turf. The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been largely inactive since 2013, with the last notable tour by Pakistan to India being for the 50-overs World Cup last year. Historically, India had always been expected to reciprocate such tours, and it was anticipated that India's matches would be held in Lahore, close to the border. However, recent reports from ANI suggest that the BCCI is not in favor of sending the team to Pakistan, proposing a hybrid model instead.

Read More: T20 World Cup 2024: VVS Laxman lauds Virat Kohli’s trophy gesture to Rahul Dravid!

Kohli's opportunity to play in Pakistan has been long-awaited by fans on both sides of the border. Having played internationally in almost every cricketing nation except Pakistan, this Champions Trophy could be a historic occasion. Kohli, now focusing solely on ODIs, Tests, and the IPL after retiring from T20Is, might find this his last chance to represent India in Pakistan. The last Indian tour to Pakistan was in 2006, two years before Kohli's debut for India, making this potential appearance even more significant.

Afridi recalled the warm reception Pakistani teams have always received in India and hopes to see the same hospitality extended to the Indian team in Pakistan. "When Pakistan used to tour, we received a lot of respect and love from India. 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.

Read More: Why did West Indies failed to give James Anderson a ‘Guard of Honour’ in his farewell test? Find out

Afridi also expressed his views on Kohli's retirement from T20Is, suggesting that the former Indian captain should have continued in the shortest format. Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, retired from T20 internationals after India clinched the T20 World Cup by beating South Africa in the final on June 29. Afridi believes that Kohli's presence would have been invaluable for the upcoming generation of cricketers.

"He shouldn't have quit T20Is because the format looked beautiful with him in it. Why can't he play? He is fit; he is in form. More than anything else, with him around the new guys would have found a lot more success. You cannot bring all youngsters together; you need a combination of seniors and juniors. What Virat can teach them, I don't think anyone else can," Afridi pointed out.