In an exclusive interview with Telecom Asia Sport, former Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal expressed his belief that there should be a permanent solution to the ongoing stand-off regarding India versus Pakistan matches in ICC events. He advocated for the adoption of a hybrid model for the upcoming Champions Trophy and suggested that this model should become the standard practice for all future ICC events.
The fate of the Champions Trophy 2025 hangs in the balance after India conveyed to the International Cricket Council it will not send its team to Pakistan for the eight-nation event.
A virtual ICC Board meeting lasted just 15 minutes on Friday after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to budge from its stance against a hybrid model with all India matches, one semi-final and the final to be played outside Pakistan.
Pakistan is scheduled to host the event from February 19 to March 9 but faces strong resistance from India and some other Boards.
Kamran said a permanent solution must be found to avoid such an imbroglio.
“The ICC has to take a decision sometime and I think this is the right time to find a permanent solution,” Kamran told Telecom Asia Sport.
“If this Champions trophy adopts a hybrid model with India not coming to Pakistan then all other ICC events in India should adopt the same pattern with Pakistan not touring India.
"In my opinion one other solution is that the ICC should not schedule Indo-Pak matches until and unless there is a bilateral series. Once they start playing each other then only we should have matches in a multi-national event."
“I am disappointed to see such a scenario but enough is enough as Pakistan have toured India despite one 2016 World Cup match shifted from Dharamshala to Kolkata and then Pakistan played in Ahmedabad last year despite reservations.
“Pakistan will have to take a strong decision and stick to it. That will help Pakistan create a good image.”
Kamran labelled India’s policy as “double standard," not touring but wanting Pakistan to tour them.
“On one hand they don’t want to play us in Pakistan on political issues but on the other hand they play us in their country and that is a double standard,” said Kamran.
Kamran said the anti-Pakistan narrative dominates the policies of the current Indian government.
“India always mixes politics in sports and this current government has an anti-Pakistan policy,” said Kamran. “Indian government should reconsider their stance because without having cricket relations cannot be normalized. "
Kamran believed there could be a political solution to the stand-off.
"Pakistan has been hosting international teams. We have seen England and New Zealand touring Pakistan thrice in the last two years, Australia have visited and enjoyed and South Africa have also played here. So security is not an issue. We have given all the teams presidential level security so the Indian team can get extra security. BCCI should convince their government that foolproof security will be guaranteed. "
With Jay Shah taking over as ICC chairman from December 1, Kamran said it will be imperative to act as a chairman of the global body and not India.
"Jay Shah has to take all member countries together and not only think of India alone," said Kamran. "His tenure will be challenging because his acts will guide the global body and he will face criticism if he favors India."
Having toured India on several occasions and featured in the Indian Premier League, Kamran highlighted the player-to-player relations as friendly and cordial. "We are friends and whenever we meet each other we talk of the past tours. All the players want India to play Pakistan and tour each other's countries. Like we recently had a Legends Cup in the UK where we sat together and talked for hours. I am still in touch with Gautam Gambhir (Indian team's current head coach) and he is very cordial. We all want Indo-Pak cricket."
The former wicketkeeper still hopes India will reconsider their rigid stance. "I have hope against hope. I would be the happiest man in Lahore if Indian teams came to Lahore and played their matches in my city. Pakistan fans have not seen Virat Kohli play in Pakistan. They want to see Rohit Sharma play, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah play.
"It will be a great atmosphere. I wish and pray it comes about."