Rohit Sharma Expected To Travel To Pakistan Before Champions Trophy 2025: Report
Photo : AP
After losing out on their chance to qualify for the WTC 2025 final, India have a chance at winning another ICC trophy, when they take the field from February 20 to begin their campaign for the Champions Trophy 2025. This is the first time since the 1996 ODI World Cup that an ICC tournament will be held in Pakistan. However, India will not travel to Pakistan owing to security reasons, and will play their matches in Dubai. However, in what comes as somewhat of a shocker, Rohit Sharma might travel to Pakistan even if the team does not.
Rohit Sharma Likely To Attend Opening Ceremony In Pakistan
According to a report by news agency IANS, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning a grand event for the opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy 2025. This event will tentatively be held on February 16 or 17. The event is likely to feature captains of all the eight sides participating in the tournaments. Along with the other captains, Rohit Sharma is also likely to visit Pakistan to attend the opening ceremony.
“Indian Team captain will visit Pakistan to attend the opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy as PCB plans a grand event, marking the return of a mega international cricket event to Pakistan after 29 years," a source close to the proceedings informed IANS.
If this does happen, then this will be the first time that Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan since he made his international debut in 2007.
India, Pakistan To Play In Neutral Venues Till 2027
The ICC have confirmed that India and Pakistan will play all their matches in ICC events in a hybrid model in the 2024-27 cycle. This means that India will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan will also not travel to India for the Women's ODI World Cup 2025, and the T20 World Cup 2026 (which is jointly hosted by Sri Lanka).
The ICC have also awarded the Women's T20 World Cup 2028 to Pakistan as compensation. However, that tournament too will take place in the hybrid model, as India will not travel to Pakistan.
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