Legendary Pakistani cricketer Younis Khan has extended an invitation to Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. Khan believes that Kohli’s presence in Pakistan would be a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
Kohli has never played in Pakistan with the senior Indian national team, although he toured the country with the India U-19 team in 2006. However, he has faced Pakistan in numerous ICC tournaments and boasts an impressive record against the arch-rivals.
“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,” Younis told News24.
India and Pakistan have not engaged in any bilateral cricket series since 2012, and the participation of India in the Champions Trophy remains uncertain due to the BCCI’s firm stance against sending their players to compete in Pakistan.
The PCB has placed the responsibility on the ICC to persuade the BCCI to send their team to Pakistan for the forthcoming Champions Trophy, which is planned to take place in the initial months of the following year.
A source from the PCB revealed that although the budget for the Champions Trophy was approved during the recent ICC meetings held in Colombo, the schedule and format of the tournament were not discussed at all.
“The PCB now has done what was required of it as hosts of the Champions Trophy. It has submitted the draft schedule and format for the event and also submitted a budget for the event,” a PCB insider said.
“It is now up to the ICC how soon they circulate, discuss and finalize the schedule of the Champions Trophy. The PCB for its part in the draft schedule has suggested hosting all of India’s games in Lahore including a semi-final (if India qualifies) and final,” he said.
