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Legendary Pakistani captain Younis Khan has expressed a heartfelt wish to witness Virat Kohli play in Pakistan at least once before the Indian star bids farewell to international cricket after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Younis Khan emphasized that Kohli enjoys immense popularity not only in India but also among cricket enthusiasts in Pakistan.
Despite his illustrious career spanning several years, Virat Kohli has yet to participate in an international match on Pakistani soil. While Kohli had previously visited Pakistan with an Under-19 team back in 2006, political tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated significantly since then, leading to India’s reluctance to tour Pakistan with the senior team.
Younis Khan sends heartfelt message to Virat Kohli.
In an interview with News 24, Younis Khan extended a heartfelt invitation to Virat Kohli, urging him to grace Pakistan with his presence. Khan emphasized the fervent desire of fans to witness the legendary batsman in action on Pakistani grounds at least once in their lifetimes. Khan noted that for Kohli, there remains just one milestone left to conquer—to score runs and showcase his talent in Pakistan.
“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 said.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has joined the chorus urging the BCCI to consider sending Team India to Pakistan. Afridi boldly stated that once Virat Kohli experiences the hospitality in Pakistan, he would forget all about the warmth and reception he receives in India.
“I will welcome Team India. Even when Pakistan used to tour, we received a lot of respect and love from India, and when India came in 2005-06, all their players enjoyed it. There is no better advent of peace than India and Pakistan going to each other’s country and playing cricket. If Virat Kohli comes to Pakistan, he’ll forget the love and hospitality of India. He has his own class,” Afridi had said to News 24.
Will India visit Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
The upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for February-March next year and set to be hosted by Pakistan, faces uncertainty amid strained political relations and security concerns between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has indicated that the final decision on sending the Indian team to Pakistan rests with the Indian government. Should India opt not to participate, there is discussion of potentially conducting the tournament in a hybrid format.
India’s last visit to Pakistan was during the Asia Cup in 2008, where they ended as runners-up to Sri Lanka. Since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, bilateral cricketing ties between the two nations have been suspended. The last bilateral series took place in 2013 when Pakistan toured India for three T20Is and three ODIs, with Pakistan winning the ODI series while the T20I series concluded without a winner.
Despite India’s reluctance to tour Pakistan, Pakistan has previously visited India for ICC tournaments. Most recently, Pakistan participated in the ODI World Cup 2023 hosted by India, where they did not progress to the semi-finals.
