Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma may visit Pakistan on Monday for pre-tournament events of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, according to Indian media reports.
This potential visit has heightened excitement among cricket fans in both countries, marking a rare occurrence of an Indian cricketer travelling to Pakistan for an international event.
Reports indicate Sharma might participate in promotional activities such as an all-captains’ photoshoot and press conference. However, the Indian cricket board has not yet confirmed his visit and the team selection for the tournament remains pending.
The Champions Trophy, featuring eight teams and 15 matches, will span from February 19 to March 9, with games in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai.
The tournament opens with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. India’s first match against Bangladesh is set for February 20 in Dubai, followed by a high-profile match between Pakistan and India on February 23, also in Dubai.
The event will adopt a hybrid model, with India playing its games in Dubai due to security concerns and political tensions. This decision concluded a month-long impasse, with India stating it would not send its team to Pakistan.
An ICC Board statement confirmed that India-Pakistan matches at ICC events from 2024 to 2027 will occur at neutral venues. This arrangement includes the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan and extends to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, the PCB has secured the hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, featuring neutral venue arrangements.
