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'Excited To Host Champions Trophy…' Pakistan Captain Rizwan After ICC’s Scheduling

Aakash Saini

Mohammad Rizwan [Source: AP Photos]Mohammad Rizwan [Source: AP Photos]

The International Cricket Council (ICC), on December 24, unveiled the entire schedule of the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The tournament will be a co-hosted eight-team event between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), owing to India’s reluctance in travelling across the border over safety concerns.

Nonetheless, the 2025 Champions Trophy marks the first ICC event to be hosted by Pakistan in any capacity after a gap of 28 years. Active white-ball Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan welcomed ICC’s decision, and claimed that his fellow countrymen are all ‘very excited’ to host the competition.

Mohammad Rizwan welcomes ICC event in Pakistan

As per an official statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan has expressed his excitement for hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy. The seasoned wicketkeeper-batter also acknowledged the fact that the eight-team event will end Pakistan’s 28-year-old drought of hosting ICC tournaments. He said:

“As a cricket-loving country, we are all very excited to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It is a great occasion as Pakistan welcomes the first ICC event to its shores in 28 years, especially as we are the defending champions.”

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also expressed his gratitude to the ICC for receiving the hosting rights of the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Interestingly, Pakistan was slated to host the tournament in its entirety, before BCCI’s reluctance in sending the Indian team across the border prompted the ICC to split the hosting rights with the UAE. Team India’s set of fixtures will now be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Barring Dubai, as many as three Pakistani venues will be hosting the competition, including Karachi’s National Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The 2025 Champions Trophy will launch on February 19 with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand. Pakistan’s high-stakes showdown against arch-rivals India will be played on February 23 in Dubai.