Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav has expressed his excitement over the prospect of playing for Pakistan in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The rights for the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy have been awarded to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) by the ICC.
The upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 will be held between February and March 2025, with matches taking place in three major cities of Pakistan – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight teams, which will be determined based on their performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Kuldeep Yadav expresses his excitement over a possible tour of Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy
The teams will be divided into two groups – Group A, comprising India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand, and Group B, which will feature Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy in 2025. However, India’s participation is the biggest headache for the PCB.
The BCCI has clearly stated that without the Indian government’s permission, they cannot send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the upcoming mega event. Some reports even claim that the BCCI is demanding a hybrid model for its matches in the tournament.
While the Indian team’s participation in the event is still awaiting official confirmation, Kuldeep Yadav has shown a strong desire to be a part of the prestigious competition in Pakistan. He shared his excitement about playing in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan during an event in Australia.
However, Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav said he had never visited Pakistan before and is therefore looking forward to travelling to the country for the main event as he greets the Pakistani people.
But Kuldeep Yadav was diplomatic about his stance on the ongoing debate as he said that whenever he gets a chance, he will definitely go and play there, be it in Pakistan or somewhere else.
Pakistani people are fantastic and whenever we get the chance we will definitely go and play there – Kuldeep
As reported by Cricket Pakistan, Kuldeep Yadav said at an event in Australia: “As cricketers, we will play wherever we are sent. I have never been to Pakistan before so I am excited. The Pakistani people are great and whenever we get a chance, we will definitely go and play there.”
However, reports have revealed that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy next year. A source also claimed that the BCCI has formally proposed Dubai and Sri Lanka as possible venues to host India’s matches at the mega event.
It is noteworthy that India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 due to ongoing political tensions. Team India last visited Pakistan in the 2008 Asia Cup, making any future clash between the two arch-rivals a highly anticipated event.
In the last edition of the Champions Trophy held in 2017, Pakistan clinched their first title by defeating India in the final. As the date of the Champions Trophy approaches, the prospect of an India-Pakistan clash on Pakistani soil is raising excitement among fans and players.
