Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed optimism that all teams, including India, will participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan. The 47-year-old cricket icon noted that Virat Kohli, in particular, is highly admired in Pakistan, with fans eagerly awaiting his participation.

Afridi's comments come amid reports suggesting that India may not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite Pakistan holding the hosting rights, it is believed that India might play their matches at a neutral venue, with the UAE being a likely option.

However Addressing the situation, Afridi said on News24 Sports' YouTube channel: "I welcome the Indian team (in Pakistan) and they should come. We've always received huge respect and love in our tours of India. In the same way, the Indian team also received love and respect during their tour in 2005. Cricket tours should be kept aside from politics. There is no bigger politics than India and Pakistan playing against each other in their countries."

Afridi emphasised the excitement among Pakistani fans for Kohli’s potential visit: "Virat will forget the love he has received in India when he plays in Pakistan. He has a huge craze in Pakistan, and our people like him very much. In fact, he is my favourite player. He has his own class, and he shouldn't have retired from T20Is as because of him, T20I looked beautiful," Afridi added.