In a significant development ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, reports suggest that the Indian cricket team captain is likely to visit Pakistan for the tournament’s grand opening ceremony. This move marks a potential thaw in cricketing ties between the two neighboring countries, which have been strained for several years due to political tensions.
According to a report by IANS, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning an elaborate opening ceremony for the Champions Trophy, tentatively scheduled for February 16 or 17, 2025. As per standard ICC protocols, all team captains are expected to attend the event, including the Indian captain. The PCB’s preparations highlight the significance of the tournament, which marks the return of a major international cricket event to Pakistan after a 29-year hiatus.
“The Indian team captain will visit Pakistan to attend the opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy as PCB plans a grand event, marking the return of a mega international cricket event to Pakistan after 29 years,” sources told IANS.
The last time an Indian cricket team toured Pakistan was in 2008 during the Asia Cup, where India played against Sri Lanka in the final. The Men in Blue’s last encounter with Pakistan on Pakistani soil was during the Super Four stage of the same tournament, where they faced an eight-wicket defeat.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is set to commence on February 19, with Pakistan hosting the tournament in a hybrid format. While most of the matches will take place in Pakistan, the games involving the Indian team will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including the knockout stages, should India qualify.
The tournament’s first fixture will see the hosts, Pakistan, taking on New Zealand in Karachi. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash is scheduled for February 23 at the Dubai International Stadium. India will begin their campaign with a match against Bangladesh at the same venue.
Pakistan, who enter the tournament as defending champions, secured a memorable victory over India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, winning by a commanding margin of 180 runs. The 2025 edition of the tournament will be Pakistan’s first time hosting a major ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 Cricket World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka.
