Ex-Pakistan Captain Urges Virat Kohli To Come To Pakistan And Play Champions Trophy 2025

July 25, 2024 0 777

Younis Khan urged Virat Kohli to tour Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, highlighting its importance for the star’s career.

The prospect of India participating in the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan, remains uncertain, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appears hesitant to send the team across the border.

The potential absence of India, therefore, casts a long shadow over the tournament. Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has urged India to participate, highlighting the significance of a Pakistan tour for Virat Kohli’s career.

“Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. It is our wish too. I think the only thing left in Virat’s career is to tour Pakistan and perform,” Khan told News24. Virat Kohli, who retired from T20Is, has only played limited-overs cricket against Pakistan, with their last bilateral series taking place in India in 2012.

The arch-rivals have not played a full bilateral series since 2013, with political tensions often overshadowing cricketing ties. While Pakistan’s successful hosting of the 2023 Cricket World Cup matches reignited hopes in relations, the latest developments indicate a potential roadblock.

Initial plans suggested India’s matches would be concentrated in Lahore. However, the BCCI is reportedly leaning towards a hybrid model, similar to the 2022 Asia Cup, where matches were split between the UAE and Sri Lanka. This would effectively mean India avoiding a direct tour of Pakistan.

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Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has adopted a wait-and-watch approach, leaving the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to resolve. While the tournament’s budget has been approved, the schedule and format are yet to be finalised.

The ICC now faces the crucial task of ensuring the successful staging of the Champions Trophy amidst the growing uncertainty over India’s participation.