Pakistan top-order batter Ahmed Shehzad has suggested an unconventional solution to restore cricketing ties between his home country and arch-rival India amid the ongoing political standoff.
Shehzad, known for his bold and blunt remarks, suggested building a stadium at the border between Pakistan and India, allowing players to participate without officially crossing into each other’s territories.
“I suggested the idea of building a stadium by the border. One gate would be towards India, the other gate would be towards Pakistan. The players would come from the respective gates and play,” he suggested during a podcast.
However, he didn’t shy away from taking a sarcastic jab at the hurdles such an arrangement might face, especially from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government.
“But even then there would be issues for the BCCI and their government. When their players come to the field by our side, they would need visas which they would not get,” Ahmed Shehzad remarked.
The unique proposal emerged in the wake of a recent standoff between the two countries, sparked by India’s decision to decline a visit to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
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Initially, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was resolute in its intention to host the entire tournament on Pakistani soil.
However they later announced a reciprocal stance: if India chose not to travel to Pakistan, then Pakistan would not send its team for any events organized in India.
Consequently, the ICC confirmed on December 19 that the Champions Trophy 2025 will be played with a hybrid model, which will see India playing their matches at a neutral venue.
The hybrid model has been approved for the ICC event cycle from 2024 to 2027, meaning both countries will play their matches at a neutral venue in events hosted by either nation.
It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
In contrast, Pakistan has made four trips to India in the last 16 years. Their most recent visit was last year for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.
READ: Champions Trophy: Javed Miandad opens up on ICC’s ‘hybrid model’ decision