'Virat Kohli will forget India' - Shahid Afridi makes bold comment urging India to visit Pakistan

Add as a preferred source on Google

Shahid Afridi has made a significant statement regarding India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, urging Team India and Virat Kohli to travel to Pakistan for the event.

The former Pakistan captain emphasised the importance of keeping politics out of sports and highlighted the mutual respect and love shared by fans from both nations.

The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be held in Pakistan and reports have suggested that India won't be flying to the neighbour country. Instead, ICC may follow a hybrid model where India play their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka.

India has not played any cricket matches in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, following the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai that strained diplomatic relations. The last bilateral series between the two countries was held on Indian soil in 2012-13, featuring two T20Is and three ODIs.

But ahead of that, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has made a bold comment on Kohli. Urging the Indian team to come and play in Pakistan, Afridi said the the Indian stalwart will forget about India when he arrives in Pakistan. Afridi expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli, stating that Kohli has a massive fan following in Pakistan.

"Virat Kohli will forget the love he has for India when he comes to Pakistan. There is a lot of craze in Pakistan. People like him a lot in Pakistan. He is my favourite player. He should not have retired from T20Is," Afridi said to News24.

The last time India played cricket on Pakistani soil was during the 2008 Asia Cup. Since then, political tensions have prevented any further tours. Afridi reminisced about past tours where both teams received immense respect and love from each other's fans.

"I welcome the Indian team to Pakistan. We have gotten a lot of respect in India when Pakistan has toured India. The Pakistan team also got a lot of love in India when we toured in 2005. Sports should be kept away from politics. There is nothing better than politics than both teams playing cricket against each other. Indians coming into Pakistan, Pakistanis going to India--what can be more beautiful than that," he added.

It is to be seen how things unfold if India remains rigid in their stance. Pakistan, given their position, may have to adjust if ICC follows the hybrid model.