India and Pakistan clashes are never an easy fixture. While players feel the burden of huge expectations of billions of people between the two nations, the management boards of the nations are often against each other over conduct of matches between these arch-rivals. Something of a similar sort happened ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy which is scheduled in Pakistan. The BCCI, citing security reasons, denied going to the neighbouring country for the tournament. Finally, after a month long tussle between BCCI and PCB, it was decided that the future matches between the two nations for ICC fixtures will happen in a neutral venue. The two boards might have reached a consensus, but Pakistani player Ahmed Shehzad had ideas of his own.
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Ahmed Shehzad offers a unique solution for India-Pakistan matches
The 33-year-old Pakistani batter proposed a unique solution for India-Pakistan matches so that people of the two nations can enjoy the thrill and excitement of the heated rivalry.
“I did a podcast where 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,” Shehzad pointed out during a discussion on his YouTube channel.
Shehzad stressed out the golden chance missed by PCB
Shehzad expressed his disappointment over Pakistan potentially losing the opportunity to host India for the Champions Trophy, which was awarded to Pakistan as part of the ICC’s 2021 agreement. He suggested that hosting India would have been a significant milestone, but due to mismanagement or external factors, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) might have squandered this chance.
“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. 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,” added Shehzad.
Pakistan and India are set to play each other in the Champions Trophy. While the venue of the clash between the two nations is yet undecided, UAE and Sri Lanka have emerged out as favourites for the heated encounter. Pakistan are the defending Champions Trophy winners, having beaten India in the finals of the 2017 edition of the tournament. Both sides have faced each other five times in the tournament, with Pakistan winning thrice.