The countdown for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already started and all the participants teams they have already started preparations for the mega event. Most recently, India announced the 15-man squad for the upcoming marquee tournament.
Everyone is well aware of the colorful relationship between India and Pakistan, so it would be interesting to see if BCCI will send the captain. Rohit Sharmawill travel to Pakistan for a traditional captains photo shoot and address the media at a pre-event press conference.
Will Rohit Sharma attend the opening ceremony of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
However, social media is already abuzz with all possibilities, with many speculating that Rohit Sharma will not be present at the grand opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. It should be noted that the marquee tournament will start on February 19, and the opening ceremony will be held on February 16 or 17 in Karachi.
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to come forward and clear the air as the ruckus about the BCCI’s alleged decision not to send their captains to Pakistan has created a lot of buzz on social media. In fact, a Pakistan Cricket Board official was baffled by reports that Rohit Sharma might miss the grand opening ceremony of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Surprisingly, a PCB official revealed that visas have already been issued to three Indian nationals who were part of the ICC delegation that visited Pakistan recently. He also said that the PCB has secured all necessary government clearances to ensure hassle-free visa issuance for all captains, players and officials participating in the pre-tournament activities in Pakistan.
PCB approves visa to Rohit Sharma for Pakistan tour!!
These latest statements were a clear confirmation that Rohit Sharma and other BCCI officials are all set to travel to Pakistan for the traditional events. A Pakistan Cricket Board official was quoted by PTI as saying: “This 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 the teams and their captains will be held in Pakistan. It is said that the timing of the ceremony will depend on him schedule from warm-up matches.
PTI quoted a source as saying, “It follows the usual protocols and since the opening match is on the 19th, the opening ceremony can be expected either on the 16th or the 17th.”
PCB Slams BCCI For Bringing Politics Into Cricket
The Indian cricket board is yet to confirm or deny whether Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the event. Also, there are reports that the Indian players will not be wearing jerseys with Pakistan’s name on them in the tournament.
Reacting to the speculations, a PCB official slammed the BCCI for mixing politics with cricket. He believes that the ICC will not allow this and will support Pakistan.
He was quoted by IANS as saying, “BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not good at all for the game. They refused to go 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 country (Pakistan) to be written on their jerseys.”
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