India's Rohit Sharma to visit Pakistan ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

Indian cricket team's captain Rohit Sharma might pay a visit to Pakistan ahead of the highly-anticipated tournament ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 to take part in events before the tournament begins, Indian media outlets reported on Monday.

The news has boosted the excitement among the cricket fans of both countries as it would be the first time in several years they would see an Indian cricketer travelling to Pakistan for an international event.

The skipper is expected to attend events, including an all-captains photoshoot that is held before any major ICC event, and a press conference as part of the international cricketing body's promotional campaign.

However, there is no official word from India's cricket board regarding Sharma's visit to Pakistan. The neighbouring country's board is yet to unveil the squad for the forthcoming tournament.

The eight-team tournament, comprising 15 matches, will run from February 19 to March 9, across three venues – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi – in Pakistan and Dubai.

The teams are divided into two groups. Group A features Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B has Afghanistan, South Africa, England and Australia.

Hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the curtain raiser on February 19 in Karachi.

India will play its first match against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20 while the blockbuster clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.

It is noteworthy to mention here that the upcoming event will be held under a hybrid model, with India set to play their matches at a neutral venue — Dubai — rather than in the host country, Pakistan.

The announcement was made last month, ending a month-long standoff after India told the cricket governing body it would not send its team to Pakistan because of security fears and political tensions.

"India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC Board confirmed," said a statement released by the council.

"This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan)."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier refused to play the Champions trophy on a hybrid model but backed down after settling on neutral venues for both sides.

The agreement will extend to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 hosted by India, and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the statement added.

It was also announced that the PCB has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply.