NEW DELHI: Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram made a surprise appearance at a recent Coke Studio event in Dubai, leaving fans in awe.
Holding the Champions Trophy, Akram expressed gratitude to the audience for their warm reception and shared his optimism over next year’s highly anticipated tournament.
While the International Cricket Council is yet to finalize the tournament’s schedule, a confident Akram said that Pakistan will successfully host the event.
“I would like to thank everyone. Your passion is typical Pakistani passion. This is the Champions Trophy which is happening in Pakistan,” Akram said.
“Pakistan is ready to host the Champions Trophy,” Akram said later in his speech.
Amid the ongoing deadlock over the ‘hybrid model’ for the tournament after India’s refusal to visit Pakistan, former captain Shahid Afridi recently advised the Pakistan Cricket Board to refrain from sending the national team to India for any cricketing event, including ICC tournaments.
Afridi emphasized the need for the Pakistan Cricket Board to adopt a firm stance on cricketing ties with India, asserting that Pakistan must become self-reliant to make strong decisions, particularly regarding participation in ICC events like the Champions Trophy.
“Pakistan cricket should be strong and self sufficient and take strong principled decisions. If India can’t come and play in Pakistan then there is no reason for us to go and play any event in India,” he said.
The Champions Trophy is slated to take place in Pakistan between January and March next year.
