PCB announced Mohammed Rizwan as the new skipper of Pakistan in white ball cricket replacing star batter Babar Azam. He will lead the team for the white ball series in Australia and will likely be captain for Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign. The event will be hosted by Pakistan and India’s presence for the tournament is a doubt.
Hence, Rizwan took the opportunity to invite India for the CT 2025, after being appointed captain.
Rizwan expressed that Pakistan received a lot of love from Indians during the 2023 ODI World Cup and now they’re ready to welcome the Indian cricket team in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan will be hosting an ICC event after 28 years, they last co-hosted the 1996 ODI World Cup.
“Pakistani fans love Indian players, just as we were welcomed in India,” Mohammad Rizwan said. “While I’m unsure if India will come, one thing is certain – if they do, they’ll receive an amazing welcome here,” he stated.
"Pakistan fans love Indian players; we received love in India during the 2023 World Cup. I'm unsure if they're coming for the Champions Trophy, but one thing is certain – if they come, they'll receive an awesome welcome here." pic.twitter.com/oFfaP4jbzw
— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) October 29, 2024
India didn’t travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023 which resulted in Sri Lanka hosting all Indian matches as BCCI is yet to take a final call on whether they should travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. A hybrid model can be an option where Dubai can be hosting all Indian matches. India last traveled to Pakistan under Dhoni’s captaincy for the 2008 Asia Cup.
When Will the Champions Trophy 2025 Begin?
The top 8 ODI teams will participate in the Champions Trophy 2025 these eight teams are:
- Pakistan
- Australia
- India
- New Zealand
- Bangladesh
- South Africa
- Afghanistan
- England
Pakistan will play the tournament as the defending champions of CT, having defeated India in the 2017 final in England.
Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore are the three venues where the tournament will take place. The tournament will kick off on February 19 and the final will be played on 9 March.
Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
