“He [Rohit travelling to Pakistan] has not yet been discussed. It’s not on the agenda yet,” Devajit Saikia, the new BCCI secretary, told PK Press Club.
It could not be confirmed whether the BCCI would need permission from the Indian government for Rohit to travel to Pakistan.
Due to the climate of political tension between the two countries, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012, but continue to meet in ICC tournaments. While Pakistan has visited India for ICC tournaments during this period, India has not played any international cricket in Pakistan since 2008.
It is understood that the PCB has requested the ICC to ensure that, as per usual practice, all teams and captains are available for the Champions Trophy photo session, the opening ceremony and other pre-tournament commitments. It appears the ICC is still finalizing logistics and travel dates for the teams.
Incidentally, the ICC has not organized a captains’ event ahead of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by West Indies and USA. With teams playing warm-up matches in several countries, the ICC instead opted to do the official launch via a light projection show featuring all 20 captains projected onto the Rockefeller Center building in New York. It is understood that as in the 2024 T20 World Cup, teams will have the opportunity to play up to two warm-up matches each depending on their arrival time for the Champions Trophy.
Saikia: ‘BCCI will follow all ICC rules related to uniforms’
Saikia, meanwhile, clarified that India would adhere to the dress code set by the ICC for the Champions Trophy, responding to media speculation that the BCCI had objected to the host country’s name on its jersey. Players’ jerseys at ICC events usually include the tournament logo with the tournament name, host country and year underneath.
“BCCI will follow all ICC rules related to uniform during the Champions Trophy,” Saikia said. PTI. “Whatever other teams do regarding the logo and dress code, we will follow them in letter and spirit.”
With additional reporting from Osman Samiuddin
