Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistan cricketer, has stated that the Indian team is willing to play in Pakistan and even Virat Kohli might be eager to showcase his skills in Pakistan. This comes amidst the deadlock between BCCI and PCB for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan is set to host their first ICC event since 1996, as the Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in February-March next year in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.

However, a spanner has been put into things after BCCI confirmed to ICC that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the event, and requested their matches be hosted at a neutral venue.

India has not traveled to Pakistan for cricket since 2008 and has played Pakistan in ICC and ACC events only at neutral venues. While Pakistan traveled to India in 2016 and 2023 for ICC events, India has refused to do so.

Amidst the standoff, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes that India wants to play cricket in Pakistan more than Pakistan does. He believes Virat Kohli shares this eagerness.

Akhtar said, "India is dying more than Pakistan to play in Pakistan. Virat Kohli is probably dying to play in Pakistan. Agar India, Pakistan land karjate toh, (If India lands in Pakistan then) TV rights and sponsorship would go off the roofs."

Akhtar points out that the Indian team's absence is owing to government restrictions, not the team's decision. He recommends Pakistan to see future tournament participation in India positively.

"In terms of playing in India in the future, we should extend a hand of friendship and go there. My belief has always been: go to India and defeat them there—India mein khelo aur wahi unhe maarke aao (play in India and beat them on their home ground). I understand that the hybrid model had already been signed earlier," he added.

This hybrid format allows Pakistan to host the event, although the PCB has set restrictions for the ICC. They want equitable terms for hybrid models in future ICC championships hosted by India.