The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, but India’s matches will be held in Dubai. Dubai will also host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy knockout stage if the Men in Blue reach the final of the eight-nation tournament next month.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin with the opening ceremony in Karachi, where the captains of all participating teams are expected to attend. However, reports claimed that Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma will not be traveling to Pakistan for the usual event.
Basit Ali demands India’s ‘silent’ treatment from PCB over shifting ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Additionally, the Indian national cricket team is reportedly unwilling to display the Champions Trophy logo with Pakistan’s name on its jerseys, despite ICC rules requiring all participating teams to wear jerseys with the host nation’s name.
It has already created a lot of buzz on social media and now former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has shared his views on it. He said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should not be worried about India’s decisions regarding the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy.
The former cricketer has suggested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to remain silent as he feels that silence is the best response for India. Additionally, Basit suggested that the PCB simply send an email to the BCCI to register their protest and stress that India’s decisions should not upset Pakistan.
Basit Ali says PCB should write an email to BCCI and register its protest
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali said, “India has refused to print Pakistan’s name on its jersey and Rohit Sharma will not travel to Pakistan. But why are you upset? Silence is the best answer. If they don’t want to print, they shouldn’t. If Rohit Sharma doesn’t want to come to the opening ceremony, then don’t come. It’s that simple. PCB should write an email to BCCI and register their protest. We shouldn’t do anything more.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan will have a similar luxury that India gets for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan will not play a single match in India until 2027 and now the former coach wants his country to take a similar stance during the 2026 T20 World Cup hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
India’s stubbornness will not be a problem for Pakistan: Basit Ali
Basit mentioned that the Men in Blue should not also travel to India for the opening ceremony, and even that they should not wear a jersey with India written on it. He is also concerned about the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, saying it would only harm the future of world cricket.
Basit signed off saying, “It won’t cause a problem for Pakistan, it will hurt world cricket and Jay Shah. The T20 World Cup 2026 is being held in India. So Pakistan can refuse to print India’s name on their jersey. Even your captain shouldn’t go there. And you do the same thing.”
Notably, Pakistan will face New Zealand in the tournament opener on February 19 in Karachi, while India will play Bangladesh in their first match on February 20 in Dubai. On the other hand, the mother of all India vs Pakistan clashes will be played in Dubai on February 23.
