(July 25), Younis Khan made known his sincere desire for a “Virat Kohli” while rumors about the Champions Trophy for 2019 persisted.
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy hosting because there are questions about India’s willingness to visit Pakistan. Since 2013, India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket. However, talks about a potential reciprocal tour have resurfaced following Pakistan’s recent visit to India for the 2023 fifty-over World Cup.
According to early reports, Lahore, which is near the border, would host India’s matches. Recent reports, however, have indicated that the BCCI is apprehensive to send the team to Pakistan and is instead suggesting a hybrid model akin to the one employed for the Asia Cup of last year.
Should that occur, one of the best hitters in India, Virat Kohli, would probably never play a match in Pakistan during his career. The last time India visited the nation was in 2006, which was two years before Kohli made his debut for the Indian national team.
Kohli is now concentrating only on ODIs, Tests, and the IPL after quitting T20Is. Given that playing in Pakistan is now less likely for him, former captain Younis Khan has urged India to do so because it is now Kohli’s “only thing left.”
“Virat Kohli ought to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025. We also hope for the same. I believe that Virat’s career consists only of performing and touring Pakistan,” Younis Khan told News24, cited by OneCricket.
However, during the team’s December 2012 limited-overs tour of India, Kohli participated in a bilateral series against Pakistan. The 35-year-old batsman has yet to play for the team in Test cricket, but he has proven to be a reliable opponent against Pakistan in white-ball competitions at both continental (Asia Cup) and international (World Cup) levels.
PCB leaving the decision to ICC
However, during the team’s December 2012 limited-overs tour of India, Kohli participated in a bilateral series against Pakistan. The 35-year-old batsman has yet to play for the team in Test cricket, but he has proven to be a reliable opponent against Pakistan in white-ball competitions at both continental (Asia Cup) and international (World Cup) levels.
According to a PCB source, while the budget for the Champions Trophy was approved at the recent ICC meetings in Colombo, the schedule and format didn’t come up for discussion at all.
