The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to be hosted by Pakistan, but India’s matches will be held in Dubai. Dubai will also host the knockouts of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 if the Men in Blue progresses to the final round of the eight-nation tournament next month.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off with an opening ceremony in Karachi, where the captains of all participating teams are expected to attend. However, reports claimed that the India National Cricket Team captain Rohit Sharma will not travel to Pakistan for the customary event.
Basit Ali demands ‘silent’ treatment from PCB for India over ICC Champions Trophy 2025 move
Additionally, the India National Cricket Team is reportedly is not ready to display the Champions Trophy logo featuring Pakistan’s name on their jerseys, despite ICC rules mandating all the participating teams to wear jerseys with the host country’s name.
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It has already created a lot of buzz on social media and now former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali shared his views on the matter. He said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should not be concerned about India’s decisions regarding the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
The former cricketer suggested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to stay silent, as he feels the silence is the best answer to India. Additionally, Basit suggested that the PCB simply email the BCCI to record their protest and stressed that India’s decisions should not upset Pakistan.
Basit Ali says PCB should write an email to BCCI and record their protest
Basit Ali said in a video posted on his YouTube channel: “India has refused to print Pakistan’s name on their jersey, and Rohit Sharma won’t travel to Pakistan. But why do you get upset? Silence is the best answer. If they don’t want to print, they should not. If Rohit Sharma doesn’t want to come for the opening ceremony, he should not come. It’s that simple. The PCB should write an email to BCCI and record their protest. We should not do anything more.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan will have the similar luxury that India is getting for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan will not play any matches in India till 2027, and now the former selector wants his country to adopt a similar stance during the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
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India’s stubbornness won’t cause 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 should not wear the jersey printed India on it. He is also concerned over the ongoing political tension between India and Pakistan, saying it would only harm the future of world cricket.
Basit signed off by saying, “It won’t cause a problem for Pakistan, it will harm world cricket and Jay Shah. The 2026 T20 World Cup is in India. So, Pakistan can refuse to print India’s name on their jersey. Even your captain should not go there. You also do the same thing.”
Notably, Pakistan will face New Zealand in the tournament opener on February 19 in Karachi, while India will take on Bangladesh in their first game on February 20 in Dubai. On the other hand, the mother of all clashes India vs Pakistan will take place in Dubai on February 23.
