Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team, may visit Pakistan ahead of the 2025 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, according to Indian media reports. This visit would be a significant event, as it would mark the first time in years that an Indian cricketer travels to Pakistan for an international event.
The visit is expected to include participation in pre-tournament activities such as an all-captains photoshoot and a press conference as part of the promotional campaign by the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet confirmed Sharma’s visit, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not announced the official squad for the event.
The tournament, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, will be held in three Pakistani cities: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. It will feature eight teams, divided into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B consists of Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.
The opening match will be between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi, while India will face Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20. A highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match is scheduled for February 23, also in Dubai.
The 2025 Champions Trophy will follow a hybrid model, with India playing their matches at neutral venues, including Dubai, instead of Pakistan, due to security concerns and political tensions. This decision was made after India informed the ICC that it would not send its team to Pakistan.
The hybrid model will apply to other ICC events during the 2024-2027 cycle, including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The PCB will also host the 2028 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup under similar arrangements.
