There has been a lot of uncertainty regarding the host nation of ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite the championship being just 4 months away, the schedule hasn’t been announced yet. Wasim Akram, the legendary pacer is quite optimistic that ICC CT 2025 would take place in Pakistan. BCCI hasn’t officially agreed for playing the tourney in Pakistan and according to sources with knowledge, the tournament can be played in hybrid model as well.
India & Pakistan have a fierce rivalry as the entire world watches when the two giants of World cricket clash. If we look in the last 3-4 ICC event; Pakistan has come back strongly but would be keen to assert their dominance. BCCI has made it very clear that the Government of India’s permission is very necessary for Team India to play in Pakistan.
There are positive vibes from India Government & BCCI- Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram was having an online press conference in Melbourne. Wasim Akram stated that there are high chances that India might play ICC CT 2025. Wasim Akram pointed out that Pakistani fans adore Indian players like Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma & Hardik Pandya.
“I think, based on what I’m reading, there are positive vibes from the Indian government and BCCI. They will likely come to Lahore and travel back the same night. I’m all for it, as long as India is comfortable And I can promise you, they are going to be looked after amazingly well,” said Wasim Akram.
“Indian cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav have fans in Pakistan. Young cricket fans adore them,” he added.
Crucial ICC CT 2025 for Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli
Head coach Gautam Gambhir earlier in one of his press conferences had given a hint that Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma will have to perform quite well in ICC CT 2025 if they want to be a part of team in ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. With both Virat & Rohit at the back end of their career and recently the duo also getting exposed against New Zealand; they need something remarkable to state that they are not done yet.
It won’t be wrong to say that the pressure of captaincy is affecting Rohit Sharma’s attacking brand of cricket. If ICC CT 2025 is moved to Sri Lanka which is considered the most likely venue for the championship then once again Indian batters can succumb to pressure against spinners. We should not forget that in July 2024, India lost the ODI series against Sri Lanka by 2-0 and their batters’ couldn’t dictate the terms.