Afridi slams BCCI for ‘intertwining politics with sports’

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has voiced his support for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in rejecting the proposed hybrid model for hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan.

Afridi criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for mixing politics with sport, after the BCCI informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India would not travel to Pakistan, citing a lack of approval from the Indian government.

Posting on X, Afridi stressed on the fact that Pakistan had repeatedly toured India despite strained relations between the two nations, particularly since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

"By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB's stance against the hybrid model - especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball series, post-26/11. It's time for the ICC and its Board of Directors to uphold fairness and assert their authority," Afridi wrote on X.

The ICC is expected to meet on Friday to finalise the schedule of the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held at three venues in Pakistan between February and March 2025.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reaffirmed the board's commitment to hosting the tournament entirely in Pakistan. "It's not possible that Pakistan plays in India while they refuse to come here," he said.