India and Pakistan will clash in Dubai on February 23 in Champions Trophy 2025.
Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has decided to watch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 encounter between India and Pakistan from the stands after selling the 30-seat VIP Hospitality Box given to him for about 400,000 dirhams (INR 94 lakh) and depositing the funds into the PCB's coffers.
According to Pakistani media reports, Naqvi was promised luxury seating for himself, his family, and guests for the Dubai matches. However, he elected to sell the box and watch the games, including the one against India, from regular enclosures to soak up the excitement alongside the crowd.
Naqvi reportedly advised the ICC and Emirates Cricket Board that he would prefer to watch the match with the audience and see how they support the Pakistan team on match days.
The PCB chairman has also stated that the board will finance around 18 billion rupees in stadium upgrades in Karachi, Lahore, and Pindi with ICC gate money and other seating receipts.
The Champions Trophy, the first major worldwide event held by Pakistan in nearly 30 years, will begin on February 19 in Karachi.
India and Pakistan are poised to play in Dubai on Sunday, February 23. Pakistan has won three of the five ICC Champions Trophy matches against India. Pakistan memorably defeated India in the final of the last edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, held in England in 2017.
On the other hand, India has won five of the last six completed ODIs between the two nations. As a result, the upcoming match looks to be another thrilling confrontation, with both teams unwilling to surrender an inch to the other.
(PTI inputs)