“Virat and Rohit should visit Pakistan before they retire” – Kamran Akmal opens up on massive following for India’s stalwarts in the country

Former Pakistan wicket-keeper bat Kamran Akmal has urged the veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to visit Pakistan before they retire. With India and Pakistan not playing any bilateral series due to political tensions between the two countries, the neighbors mostly face each other in the major ICC tournaments.

India recently defeated Pakistan in the group stage of T20 World Cup in the USA to continue their supremacy against the arch-rivals in major competitions. 

Pakistan is all set to host the 2025 Champions Trophy but the BCCI has shown reluctance to travel there. If Pakistan go on to host the tournament and the Indian board agrees to travel, it could be the last opportunity for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play on Pakistan soil.

The duo also have a massive fan following in Pakistan and Akmal reckons the passionate crowd wants to see them in action.

Kamran Akmal said while talking to TOI, “Virat and Rohit should visit Pakistan before they retire. These two are stars of world cricket, traveling across the globe to play the game. Every single fan loves them. They have a massive fan base due to their batting and match-winning performances. The fan following they will experience in Pakistan will surpass anything they’ve seen elsewhere.”

Akmal noted that if players like Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play in Pakistan, then it will inspire every fan in the country.

“Virat is a role model for many around the world, Rohit is the World-cup winning captain, and Bumrah is currently the best pacer in the world. When players like Virat, Rohit and Bumrah visit Pakistan, it will evoke unique feelings in every fan. Virat has visited Pakistan during his under-19 days but he wasn’t as popular then.”

“If Virat visits Pakistan now, he will truly sees his popularity there. He will receive a different kind of support in Pakistan. No cricketer is more popular than Virat in Pakistan. He has a bigger fan-following than any other cricketer in the world. Pakistan fans love Virat, Rohit and Bumrah more than any of their own cricket team players,” added Akmal.

Kohli and Rohit will be next in action in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.