The former wicket-keeper batter of Pakistan, Kamran Akmal, remarks on India’s visit to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. The defending champions, Pakistan, will host the ninth edition of the prestigious ICC event.
India cricket team’s last visit to Pakistan was in 2008. India and Pakistan have complex political relations that have hindered the bilateral series between the nations. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was in 2012. Since 2022, India and Pakistan have encountered each other during the Asia Cup or ICC events. Last year, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup, but ICC announced the hybrid model for the tournament, and Sri Lanka co-hosted the competition. Therefore, the Indian cricket team played all their matches in Sri Lanka.
Kamran Akmal Urges India-Pakistan Government To Reconsider Their Bilateral Series
Upon India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistani former cricketer Kamran Akmal believes India should mark their presence. Kamran Akmal pointed out that if Australia can visit Pakistan then why not India? The former wicket-keeper batter of Pakistan also urged to resume the India-Pakistan bilateral series. According to the 42-year-old, the government bodies of both nations should converse on the matter of the India and Pakistan bilateral series.
Furthermore, Kamran Akmal recalled the days when Pakistan visited India to play several series. The former Pakistani cricketer considers himself lucky to have traveled to India to play cricket and cherishes those days. Moreover, Kamran Akmal is eager to witness India play in Pakistan and vice-versa. The former cricketer suggested keeping political issues aside for the sake of love for cricket between the nations. He was quoted by the Times of India saying,
“I consider myself lucky that I travelled to India and played several series, both home and away. I really enjoyed those times. India should travel to Pakistan, and Pakistan should go to India. Let’s keep the political matters aside and play and love cricket,” he added,
“When a team like Australia can visit Pakistan, why not India? The India-Pakistan bilateral series should happen. Both governments need to sit and talk. This will benefit cricket,”
Kamran Akmal is upset that Pakistan had to jointly host the Asia Cup with Sri Lanka last year and now the Champions Trophy occurrence might also get snatched away from them. The former wicket-keeper batter said that Pakistan has put in a lot of effort to keep cricket alive in their nation. In addition, he also stated that if India hosts any event, the Pakistan government will always allow the cricketers to play in India. Therefore, According to Kamran Akmal Indian government should also let India visit Pakistan.
“Pehle aapne Asia Cup le liya, ab Champions Trophy ki baatein kar rahe hain. Kyun kar rahe hain aap aisa? (First you took away the Asia Cup from Pakistan; now talking about the Champions Trophy, why?) … Pakistan has done a lot of hard work to bring cricket back to the country. If India invites Pakistan, our government will never stop us. They will say, ‘Go and play.’ The Indian government should do the same. Let’s keep politics aside and play cricket.”
Lastly, Kamran Akmal said the clash between India and Pakistan is the mother of all clashes. Moreover, the former cricketer also described receiving love and support from Indian fans on their tours to India. He said,