BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla was seen with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore during the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Shukla has been invited to watch the crucial semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand, thus he is spending two days in Pakistan. Rajeev Shukla and Mohsin Naqvi were seen conversing in a video posted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on its X account. The two are joined at the venue by representatives of the cricket boards of Zimbabwe, South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.
BCCI Vice President watches semi-final in Lahore
“PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi attends the ICC #ChampionsTrophy semi-final at Gaddafi Stadium alongside BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla. Officials from Bangladesh, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe cricket boards are also watching the #NZvSA match,” wrote PCB on their X handle.
The vice president of the BCCI has visited Pakistan twice in the last 18 months; he and President Roger Binny last visited the nation in 2023 to see a match at the Asia Cup. Since they once again declined to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and are now playing all of their matches in Dubai, the Indian cricket team has not visited the country in over 16 years.
India already in Champions Trophy Final
Pakistan recently visited India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, whereas India last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup. The bitter rivals have only faced off in multi-national competitions since their most recent bilateral ODI series in India in 2012–13. In the meantime, India advanced to the Champions Trophy final for the third time in a row after defeating Australia by four wickets in the first semi-final.
With another outstanding innings from star batsman Virat Kohli (84 off 98), the Men in Blue were able to chase down the total of 265 in 48.1 overs. Additionally, on March 9, India will play their final in Dubai against the victor of the second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa.
