ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammad Rizwan sends bold message to KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav amid India-Pakistan tensions

Amidst a heated diplomatic row surrounding the venue for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan captain and star wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has offered a heartfelt welcome to Indian cricketers, especially KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav.

Rizwan hopes that the Indian cricket team will arrive in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially informing the ICC that India will not be granted government clearance to travel to Pakistan, Rizwan remains optimistic.

Mohammad Rizwan extends a warm welcome to the Indian cricket team for Champions Trophy 2025

After the Indian Government denied sending the team to Pakistan, the BCCI has proposed a hybrid format for the Champions Trophy 2025, demanding India’s matches be hosted in the UAE. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not ready to adopt the hybrid model for the prestigious tournament, especially after spending millions in preparation for the mega event.

Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Major event cancelled amid fight between India and Pakistan

The PCB has reportedly also hinted at boycotting games involving India across both ICC and Asia Cup tournaments if the hybrid format is imposed by the ICC. Even the Pakistani government is not in favor of the hybrid model and is likely to ask the board to withdraw from the Champions Trophy 2025.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan addressed the press ahead of Pakistan's third T20I match against Australia at Brisbane’s Gabba, where he shared a heartfelt message for the Indian players. Rizwan emphasized his hope for a solution that respects the spirit of the game while acknowledging that the final call rests with the PCB and BCCI.

KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav are all welcome: Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan said in the media interaction: “KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav are all welcome. All the players who will come, we will welcome them. This is not our decision; this is PCB's decision. Whatever decision will take place, hopefully they will all discuss and take the right call. But we are hopeful that if the Indian players will come, we will welcome them.”

Mohammad Rizwan said "We will welcome Team India to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. This decision is not in our hands, the PCB will decide their participation but we will welcome them" 🇵🇰🇮🇳❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/a6HDhMpv7p

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 13, 2024

Breaking: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has welcomed India's KL Rahul & Surya Kumar Yadav to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year 🇵🇰🇮🇳🔥

What a wonderful gesture by Rizwan, what a man ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/ozdAHkpEJQ

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 13, 2024

On the other hand, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has recently faced a question from a Pakistani fan about India's reluctance to cross the border. He is currently leading the Indian cricket team in a four-match T20I series in South Africa.

Read Also: Shaheen Afridi becomes World No.1 bowler as Pakistan stars dominate ICC Rankings

Humare haath me thodi hai: Suryakumar Yadav on visiting Pakistan

Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh met a few Pakistan fans, and later they asked the skipper about their Champions Trophy 2025 stance. A fan asked, “Aap Pakistan kyun nahi aate (Why don’t you come to Pakistan?" Listening to the question, Suryakumar Yadav smiled and replied, “Arey bhaiya! Humare haath me thodi hai (Hey brother, it’s not in our hands).”

Well, the ICC faces a tough challenge as they prepare for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament's success majorly depends on the participation of both India and Pakistan, but the BCCI and PCB remain steadfast in their stance, putting the international cricket body in a difficult position.

Notably, India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since 2012. While Pakistan visited India three times since the Men in Blue’s last visit to their country in 2008.