As Pakistan gears up to host the 2025 edition of the coveted ICC Champions Trophy, posters and banners featuring Indian cricketing stars, including for captain Virat Kohli and pacer Jasprit Bumrah, have been spotted in Lahore.

 

Preparations are in full swing across the country as fans around the globe look forward to the mega tournament due to start on February 19.

 

While India’s matches, including the highly-anticipated clash against the Greenshirts, will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to New Delhi’s concerns amid political tensions between the two countries, posters and banners featuring Indian players have started emerging across major cities in Pakistan.

 

 

As the promotional material adds to the excitement of cricketing fans, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also officially launched Pakistan’s jersey for the event.

 

Staying true to Pakistan's classic green, the jersey reflects the nation's passion for cricket as it prepares to host its first ICC event in almost 30 years. Through the #WearYourPassion campaign, PCB has also invited fans to show support for Men in Green.

 

It may be noted that the national squad for the tournament has also been announced by the PCB. It, however, has received mixed reactions from fans and former cricketers alike.

 

Amid concerns over the selection committee’s decision, the board maintains that the squad, including Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Sheheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Muhammad Hasnain, was picked through an impartial system based on merit.

 

Reports have also quoted board officials as saying that the final playing XI will be picked on the basis of players’ performance during the tri-nation ODI series to be played between Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa in the days leading to the Champions Trophy.

 

The series will be played from Feb 8 to Feb 14 in Lahore and Karachi.