ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB confident Rohit Sharma will defy government orders and visit Pakistan

There is growing suspense surrounding whether Team India captain Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains hopeful that Rohit Sharma will attend the captains' photoshoot and pre-event press conference.

The opening ceremony of the event is set to take place on either February 16 or 17. The PCB is awaiting confirmation from the International Cricket Council regarding the schedule for the captains' photoshoot and press conference. All eight team captains are expected to attend the ceremony in Pakistan.

Pakistan Hopeful of Rohit Sharma’s Visit for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

According to a PTI report, the Pakistan Cricket Board is hopeful that Rohit Sharma will attend the Champions Trophy event in Pakistan. The PCB has received the necessary government approvals to issue visas for all visiting captains, players, and team officials attending pre-tournament events.

"This obviously includes Rohit or any other Indian team player or official or board official," the source said.

BCCI Yet to Issue Official Statement on Rohit Sharma's Visit to Pakistan

If it happens, it will mark the first time in over a decade that an active Indian cricketer visits Pakistan. According to ICC rules, all team captains must attend the opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy.

There were earlier speculations about Rohit traveling to Pakistan for the opening ceremony and captains' photoshoot. The discussions about his possible visit arose because India will not be playing any matches in Pakistan. However, the BCCI has not yet issued an official statement on the matter.

Team India Set to Play Champions Trophy Matches in Dubai

The Indian national cricket team will play its Champions Trophy matches in Dubai rather than travel to Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions. The marquee tournament will be held under a hybrid model after the Indian government and the BCCI declined to send their team to Pakistan, citing security concerns.

Pakistan agreed to host all events by India from 2024-2027 at neutral venues. The eight-team tournament will run from February 19 to March 9, with matches taking place in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, while all India-related games will be in Dubai. India and Pakistan will face each other in Dubai on February 23.

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali urged Rohit Sharma to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit expressed doubts about whether Rohit will attend the opening ceremony. He said that while Rohit might want to go, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may prevent him.

"When the World Cup happened Babar Azam and Kane Williamson took a flight and went to Australia together. Will Rohit Sharma come to Pakistan? He should. He should come to the ICC event. I want him to come and he would have the wish to come too. Maybe he will give a reason that the ties with Pakistan are not good. Maybe BCCI will give that reason," Basit said.

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