The countdown for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already started 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 landmark tournament.
Well, everyone is aware of the colorful relationship between India and Pakistan, so it would be interesting to see if BCCI would send the captain, Rohit Sharma, to Pakistan for the traditional captains' photo session and address the media at pre- event press conference.
Will Rohit Sharma Attend Opening Ceremony of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
However, social media has already been abuzz with all sorts of possibilities, with many suggesting that Rohit Sharma will not be attending the grand opening ceremony of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Notably, the marquee tournament is scheduled to begin on February 19, with the opening ceremony slated for February 16 or 17 in Karachi.
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With murmurs of BCCI deciding not to send their captain to Pakistan making a lot of noise on social media, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to come forward and clear the air. In fact, a Pakistan Cricket Board official was baffled by reports that Rohit Sharma might skip the opening ceremony of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
In a surprising twist, the PCB official revealed that visas have already been issued to three Indian nationals, who were part of a ICC delegation that visited Pakistan recently. He also said that the PCB has obtained all necessary government clearances to ensure smooth issuance of visas to all captains, players and officials attending the pre-tournament events in Pakistan.
PCB confirms visa issued to Rohit Sharma to visit Pakistan!!
These latest revelations were a clear confirmation that Rohit Sharma and other BCCI officials are set to travel to Pakistan for the regular events. A Pakistan Cricket Board official was quoted by PTI as saying, “This obviously includes Rohit or any other Indian team player or board official or official.”
Meanwhile, another source claimed that the PCB has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the opening ceremony, with all the teams and their captains, will be held in Pakistan. It is said that the timing of the ceremony will depend on the schedule of the warm-up matches.
The source was quoted by PTI as saying, “This is as per the usual protocols and since the opening match is on the 19th, the opening ceremony can be expected on either the 16th or the 17th.”
PCB criticizes BCCI for bringing Politics into Cricket
Well, the Indian cricket board is yet to confirm whether Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the event, nor has he denied it. Additionally, there are reports that the Indian players would not wear a jersey with Pakistan's name on it in the tournament.
Reacting to the speculation, a PCB official slammed the BCCI for mixing politics with cricket. He believes that the ICC will not let this happen and will support Pakistan.
He was quoted by IANS as saying, “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 name of the host nation (Pakistan) printed on their jersey”.