Follow UsDespite the country's political indifference to Pakistan, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is set to travel across the border for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 grand opening. According to reports, the Indian skipper is expected to be present in Pakistan during the opening ceremony, which will likely be on February 16 or 17.
"Indian Team captain will visit Pakistan to attend the opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy as PCB plans grand event, marking the return of a mega international cricket event to Pakistan after 29 years," IANS quoted a source as saying.
It will be Pakistan’s first ICC tournament as a host since 1996, when they co-hosted the ODI World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka. This time, the tournament is set to be played in a hybrid format, which means that India will play all their matches in Dubai while the other teams will play in Pakistan.
The eight-team competition will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and hosts Pakistan. Pakistan are also the defending champions, having won the trophy in 2017.
Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the opening encounter of the competition on February 19.