BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla was seen having a cup of tea and speaking to PCB Chairman Moshin Naqvi while watching the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday. A video of the same surfaced on social media as the two seemed to have secured the VIP seats to watch the exciting encounter.
A source of the Times of India had claimed on Monday that Shukla will travel to Pakistan to watch the match at the Gaddafi Stadium as a BCCI-nominated representative. Shukla and BCCI President Roger Binny had visited Pakistan to witness a match hosted by Pakistan of the Asia Cup 2023 and the pair received a grand reception as then-PCB Chief Zaka Ashraf had extended his invitation. However, Binny hasn't travelled to Pakistan on this occasion.
Lahore to not host the Champions Trophy 2025 final
Meanwhile, the final of the eight-team tournament has been shifted from Lahore to Dubai due to India reaching the final. The geo-politics between India and Pakistan meant that the BCCI refused to send its men's team to the neighbouring nation. Hence, it was pre-decided that if India was to reach the decider, the Men in Blue will host it.
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Pakistan cricket team had started the tournament as the defending champions but exited the competition in the group stage itself and ended it winless. They lost to New Zealand and India comprehensively, while their clash against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was washed out due to rains.
The winner between South Africa and New Zealand will travel to Dubai to play India in the final on March 9, Sunday.
