ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB breaks silence on Rohit Sharma skipping ceremony, India's refusal to print Pakistan's name on jersey
Published - 20 Jan 2025, 06:03 PM
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The countdown for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already begun, and all the participating teams have already started their preparations for the mega event. Most recently, India announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming marquee tournament.
Well, everyone is well aware of the colorful relationship between India and Pakistan, so it would be interesting to see whether the BCCI would send the captain, Rohit Sharma, to Pakistan for the traditional captains’ photo shoot and address the media at the pre-event press conference.
Will Rohit Sharma attend the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony in Pakistan?
However, social media has been already buzzing with all the possibilities, with many suggesting that Rohit Sharma would not attend the grand opening ceremony of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Notably, the marquee tournament is set to kick off on February 19, with the opening ceremony scheduled for February 16 or 17 in Karachi.
Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammed Siraj breaks silence on ODI snub
As the murmurs of the BCCI allegedly deciding against sending their captain to Pakistan make a lot of noise on social media, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has to come forward and clear the air. Actually, a Pakistan Cricket Board official was baffled by the reports that Rohit Sharma might skip the 2025 Champions Trophy’s grand opening ceremony in Pakistan.
In a surprising twist, the PCB official revealed that the visas have already been issued to three Indian nationals, who were part of an ICC delegation visiting Pakistan recently. He also said that the PCB secured all necessary government clearances to ensure seamless visa issuance for all the captains, players, and officials attending the pre-tournament events in Pakistan.
PCB confirms visa issued to Rohit Sharma for Pakistan visit!!
These latest revelations were a clear confirmation that Rohit Sharma and other BCCI officials are set to travel to Pakistan for the customary events. A Pakistan Cricket Board official was quoted as saying by PTI: “This obviously includes Rohit or any other Indian team player or official or board official.”
Meanwhile, another source claimed that the PCB has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the opening ceremony, with all teams and their captains, will be held in Pakistan. It is being said that the timing of the ceremony will depend on the schedule of the warm-up matches.
The source was quoted as saying by PTI: “This is in line with the usual protocols, and since the opening match is on the 19th, the opening ceremony can be expected either on the 16th or 17th.”
PCB criticizes BCCI for bringing Politics into Cricket
Well, the Indian cricket board has not yet confirmed whether Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the event, nor have they denied it. Additionally, there are reports that the Indian players would not wear a jersey featuring Pakistan’s name on it in the tournament.
Reacting to the speculations, a PCB official criticized the BCCI for mixing politics with cricket. He believes the ICC will not let this happen and will support Pakistan.
He said as quoted by IANS, “BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan. They don’t want to send their captain (to Pakistan) for the opening ceremony; now there are reports that they don’t want the host nation’s (Pakistan) name printed on their jersey.”
