Rajeev Shukla makes big revelation on India-Pakistan series resumption during Lahore visit for CT semi-final

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla opened up about why the India National Cricket Team couldn't play in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. He mentioned that due to the lack of government clearance, the tournament couldn't take place in one country.

Rajeev Shukla's comments came during the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between the South Africa National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team. The match between the teams is taking place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday (5th March).

Rajeev Shukla visited Pakistan to attend the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand

Shukla visited Pakistan to attend the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand. He, along with five representatives from different cricket boards, was seen along with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Along with Shukla (BCCI), Roger Twose (New Zealand Cricket), Farooq Ahmed (Bangladesh Cricket Board), and Cricket South Africa's Pholetsi Isaac Moseki and Dr Mohammed Moosajee were also present during the game.

With the India National Cricket Team not visiting Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Rajeev Shukla's visit gained a lot of attention. This was the second time that he went to the neighboring nation in the last two years, having visited the place during the Asia Cup 2023, which also took place in ha ybrid model.

Unless BCCI gets permission, bilateral cricket cannot take place - Rajeev Shukla

Shukla also attended media as well and he spoke about why India National Cricket Team couldn't visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While pointing out that government clearance played a massive role, he claimed that cricketing ties between India and Pakistan will depend on government approvals. He said:

"Indian cricket team could not visit Pakistan due to a lack of government clearance. The hybrid model is effective, Cricketing ties between India and Pakistan remain dependent on official government approvals. Unless BCCI gets permission, bilateral cricket cannot take place."

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla

Indian cricket team could not visit Pakistan due to a lack of government clearance. The hybrid model is effective, Cricketing ties between India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 remain dependent on official government approvals. Unless BCCI gets permission,… pic.twitter.com/p5xCy4kK6p

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) March 5, 2025

India National Cricket Team didn't get the clearance from the government to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan

India National Cricket Team didn't get the clearance from the government to play the the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Both BCCI and PCB were involved in a lot of heated arguments over the same, and it ultimately led ICC to use a hybrid model for the tournament.

As a part of that, the India National Cricket Team played all their games at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. With the Rohit Sharma-led side reaching the final of the tournament, the summit clash will be played at the same venue.

India National Cricket Team also has faced a lot of criticism for playing all the games at one venue.

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