India’s potential participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan remains uncertain, as bilateral cricket between the two nations has been suspended since 2013. According to the draft schedule for the Champions Trophy, India’s matches are planned to be held in Lahore. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly hesitant about sending its team and has proposed a hybrid model for the tournament.
This situation raises concerns that star batter Virat Kohli may never play a match in Pakistan. Kohli, who has retired from T20 Internationals and now focuses on ODIs, Tests, and the Indian Premier League (IPL), might miss the chance to play in Pakistan if the BCCI’s reluctance persists.
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Former Pakistani captain Younis Khan has urged India to visit Pakistan, emphasizing that it would be a significant and fitting end to Kohli’s illustrious 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 stated.
Kohli last faced Pakistan in a bilateral series during their limited-overs tour in India in December 2012. Although he has performed consistently against Pakistan in white-ball formats during the Asia Cup and World Cups, he has not played Test cricket against them yet.
An Indian media report indicates that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has left it to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to persuade the BCCI to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled for early next year. The report also noted that while the Champions Trophy budget was approved at recent ICC meetings in Colombo, discussions on the schedule and format were not conducted.
