 "Champions Trophy 2025: India's official jersey includes mention of Pakistan as BCCI sticks to ICC rules")
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has gone through plenty of drama in its build-up, primarily due to India’s refusal to travel to host nation Pakistan due to security concerns as well as existing political tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. As a result of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) firm stance, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to accept a ‘ Hybrid Model' in which two-time champions India played their Champions Trophy games at a neutral venue – which was narrowed down to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
There were reports suggested Team India would even refuse to make any mention of Pakistan on their jersey for the ninth edition of the ‘Mini World Cup’ given how strained relations between the two nations have been for the better part of their history post-Independence.
The Men in Blue, however, appear to have dropped the plan of dropping the word ‘Pakistan" from their kits as well. Pictures shared by the BCCI on their social media accounts on Monday showed captain Rohit Sharma, batting superstar Virat Kohli and other members of the 15-man squad donning the jersey that clearly had Pakistan included in the tournament logo.
The pictures have since gone viral on social media, with Indian users mostly praising the jersey design or wishing their team good luck ahead of their opening game against Bangladesh on Thursday. There were also a few accounts appearing to originate from Pakistan that trolled their neighbours for reportedly threatening to alter the tournament logo on their kits.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts— BCCI (@BCCI) February 17, 2025
It’s worth noting that BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had also mentioned that the board would be following the rules set by the ICC when it came to jersey design for the prestigious tournament.
“BCCI to follow every uniform-related ICC rule during Champions trophy,” Saikia was quoted by the PTI as saying on 22 January.
Watch | Pakistan unveil official Champions Trophy jersey during inauguration of renovated Lahore stadium
This isn’t the first time the BCCI has refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan for an ICC tournament; they had made a similar refusal for the 2023 Asia Cup, which was also supposed to be hosted entirely in Pakistan. In the end, Sri Lanka hosted a majority of games in that tournament, including the final.
Pakistan, however, are getting a sizeable chunk of games across three venues in the upcoming Champions Trophy, including the second semi-final that will take place in Lahore on 5 March. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium could also host the final if India fail to qualify.
Follow Firstpost’s Champions Trophy 2025 page for all the latest updates and live scores.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
