Report: Indian Captain Rohit Sharma to Visit Pakistan Before Champions Trophy, Reason Revealed

 

Despite India competing in its Champions Trophy matches at a neutral location, the team leader is anticipated to travel to the host nation Pakistan to participate in the inaugural ceremony of the prestigious event, which is returning after an eight-year break, as per sources. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is organizing a lavish inaugural ceremony for the Champions Trophy, tentatively set for February 16 or 17, depending on the warm-up match schedule. All team leaders are required to be present at the inaugural ceremony, a customary practice for ICC tournaments.

“The captain of the Indian Team will be making a trip to Pakistan to join the inaugural ceremony of the Champions Trophy as PCB is organizing a grand occasion, marking the comeback of a major international cricket event to Pakistan after 29 years,” sources informed IANS.

The Champions Trophy 2025, commencing on February 19, will mark Pakistan’s first significant ICC competition as hosts since co-hosting the 1996 Cricket World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

The competition will follow a mixed format, with Pakistan hosting most of the matches, while India’s group matches and the initial semi-final will be held in Dubai.

If India makes it to the final, the match will also be moved to Dubai; otherwise, Lahore will host the championship match.

The eight-team tournament will include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa, alongside hosts Pakistan.

The tournament will commence with hosts Pakistan facing off against New Zealand in Karachi, and the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.

Due to strained political relations, India and Pakistan only face off in international competitions like the World Cups and Asia Cup. The two teams most recently competed in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in New York.