New Delhi: Pakistan legend Younis Khan has urged Virat Kohli to come to Pakistan and play in the country ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan is the official host of the premier tournament. However, India’s participation in the competition remains in doubt as the BCCI has maintained a strict stance on not sending the Indian team to play in Pakistan.
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since 2013 and India have refused to travel to Pakistan since 2008 due to strained political relations between the two countries. In 2023, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup 2023 but the tournament was played in a hybrid model after BCCI refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan.
BCCI is unlikely to send the Indian team to Pakistan once again next year for the Champions Trophy and the ICC might have to conduct the tournament in a hybrid model once again. Amid BCCI’s refusal to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the multi-nation event, Younis has made an emotional plea to Kohli, requesting him to play in front of his fans in Pakistan.
Speaking to News24, Khan said the only thing left for Kohli to achieve in his glorious career is to come to Pakistan and perform in the country. Kohli did travel to Pakistan with the India U-19 team in 2006 but has never played in Pakistan with the senior Indian national team. He has played against Pakistan in several ICC tournaments and has a brilliant record against the arch-rivals.
“Virat Kohli yahan pe aayein aur aake wo waise hi perform kare. Ek feather reh gaya hai unke career mai ki unhone Pakistan mai nahi khela. Agar wo aayenge toh hum sabko bohot acha lagega (Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, it’s our wish too. I think the only thing left in Kohli’s career is to tour Pakistan and perform in Pakistan),” said Younis.
Younis Khan said “Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, it’s our wish too. I think the only thing left in Kohli’s career is to tour Pakistan and perform in Pakistan” 🇮🇳🇵🇰🔥🔥
[via News24 Sports] pic.twitter.com/MdBGZafhsX
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 24, 2024
Supplementary funds allocated for Champions Trophy 2025
As per reports, the ICC has allocated funds to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the Champions Trophy 2025 which also includes ‘supplementary funds’ in case India refuse to travel to Pakistan and the tournament has to be conducted in a hybrid model. PCB has kept all of India’s matches, including the semi-final and final (if India reaches) in Lahore as per its tentative draft submitted to the ICC.
However, it remains to be seen if BCCI will approve the schedule and agree to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the tournament. Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian team in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Pakistan legend Younis Khan has made an emotional request to Team India star Virat Kohli, urging him to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 next year. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
