Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to feature in the high-profile clash between India and Pakistan in the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. The batting icon will bid farewell to the T20I format after leading India to World Cup glory in the 2024 edition of the ICC event. Though Kohli and Rohit have announced their retirement from T20Is, the batting powerhouse will continue to excel in the traditional format of the game. Kohli and Rohit could make their white-ball return to the ICC tournament in the 2025 Champions Trophy, hosted by Pakistan.
In the latest developments, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted its proposed venue for the ICC Champions Trophy. The PCB has awarded hosting rights to Lahore for the high-energy showdown between India and Pakistan in the first week of March. The highly-anticipated Champions Trophy clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is likely to take place in Lahore on March 1 next year.
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PCB seeks BCCI’s approval
Pakistan will host the ICC event from February 19 to March 9. March 10 has been earmarked as the reserve date for the final of the ICC event. According to a report filed by a news agency, PTIA senior ICC director said the PCB is yet to receive approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the provisional schedule.
PCB submits Champions Trophy draft: India and Pakistan in Group A
“The PCB has submitted a draft ICC Champions Trophy for 15 matches — seven in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi,” an ICC official said. As per the Champions Trophy draft, India is in Group A along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan are in Group B of the Champions Trophy.
All India match in Lahore
“The opening match will be played in Karachi, the semi-finals in Karachi and Rawalpindi and the final in Lahore. All India’s matches (including the semi-finals if the team qualify) will be played in Lahore,” the source added. Pakistan last hosted a major tournament in 2023, the Asia Cup, which was played under a “hybrid model” with India playing its Asia Cup matches in Sri Lanka. “All the chairpersons of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (except BCCI) have assured full support, while BCCI will be in discussion with the government and will provide an update to the ICC,” the source added.
