'Build Stadium On Border': Ahmed Shahzad Takes Sarcastic Dig At BCCI, Indian Government Over Champions Trophy
Photo : AP
Pakistan batter Ahmed Shahzad has said that a stadium should be constructed on the India-Pakistan border, with one gate opening in India and the other in Pakistan, so that travel to the other country doesn't become a political issue. Shahzad was visibly upset and annoyed by the situation between the two countries over the Champions Trophy and took a massive dig at BCCI and the Indian government.
Speaking on the Nadir Ali podcast, Shahzad was asked about his opinion on India not coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year. The long-drawn saga finally ended on Thursday after the ICC confirmed that the tournament will be played in a hybrid manner.
Shahzad said that even if a stadium is built on the border which the Indian and Pakistan teams can enter from their respective countries without crossing over, the Indian government might still have a problem with that.
"Build a stadium on the border. One gate should open in India, the other in Pakistan. Their players can come from there, our players can go from here. But again, I think BCCI or the Indian government will have an issue. They'll say that when your player comes to the field on our side, we'll not give him a visa for that," Shahzad said.
"Pakistan had a golden chance to host India. All cricket boards had signed the agreement in 2021 that Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy. ICC cannot back off," Shahzad said.
The Pakistan batter added that the Pakistan Cricket Board missed out on a golden opportunity to host the Indian side on its soil.
"PCB has missed the chance I think. We should forget that the Indian team will ever come to Pakistan now. Just forget it. The only way you could have brought India here was by an ICC event," Shahzad said.
The deadlock over the hosting of 2025's Champions Trophy ended on Thursday when the ICC announced that India will play their games of the 50-over event at a neutral venue instead of host nation Pakistan, which will get a similar arrangement for tournaments to be held in India till 2027.
India and Sri Lanka will co-host the T20 World Cup in 2026.
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