PCB breaks silence on Rohit Sharma skipping ceremony, India’s refusal to print Pakistan’s name on jersey
The countdown for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already started and all the participating teams have already started their preparations for the mega event. Recently, India announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming marquee tournament.
Well, everyone is well aware of the checkered relationship between India and Pakistan, so it would be interesting to see if BCCI will send captain Rohit Sharma to Pakistan for the traditional captain’s photo shoot and address the media in the pre-event press conference.
Will Rohit Sharma attend the opening ceremony of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
However, social media is already abuzz with all the possibilities, with many suggesting that Rohit Sharma will not be attending the opening ceremony of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Namely, the marquee tournament is scheduled to begin on February 19, and the opening ceremony is scheduled for February 16 or 17 in Karachi.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammed Siraj breaks silence on ODIs
As rumblings about BCCI’s alleged decision against sending its captain to Pakistan create a lot of buzz on social media, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to step up and sort out the situation. In fact, a Pakistan Cricket Board official was puzzled by reports that Rohit Sharma might skip the opening ceremony of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
In a surprising twist, a PCB official revealed that visas have already been issued to three Indian nationals, who were part of the ICC delegation that visited Pakistan recently. He also said that the PCB has secured all necessary government clearances to ensure smooth issuance of visas for all captains, players and officials attending pre-tournament events in Pakistan.
PCB confirms visa issued to Rohit Sharma to visit Pakistan!!
These latest revelations were a clear confirmation that Rohit Sharma and other BCCI officials are ready to travel to Pakistan for regular events. PTI quoted a Pakistan Cricket Board official as saying, “This clearly involves Rohit or any other player or Indian team official or board official.”
Meanwhile, another source claims that the PCB has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the opening ceremony, with all the teams and their captains, will be held in Pakistan. It is stated that the timing of the ceremony will depend on the schedule of the preliminary matches.
PTI quoted a source as saying, “This is as per normal protocols and since the opening match is on the 19th, the opening ceremony can be expected either on the 16th or 17th.”
PCB criticizes BCCI for bringing politics into cricket
Well, the Indian cricket board has not yet confirmed whether Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the event, nor have they denied it. Additionally, there are reports that the Indian players would not wear the jersey with Pakistan’s name in the tournament.
Reacting to the speculations, a PCB official criticized the BCCI for mixing politics and cricket. He believes that the ICC will not allow this to happen and will support Pakistan.
He said, as quoted by IANS, “The BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan. They don’t want to send their captain (to Pakistan) for the opening ceremony; now there are reports that they do not want the name of the host country (Pakistan) printed on their jersey.”
