"Don't Hug Virat Kohli, Indians": Mohammad Rizwan And Co. Sent Stern Message After Champions Trophy Hosting Row

The Champions Trophy starts next week with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand. While the top eight ODI teams are competing in the marquee event, the one match that all fans in the sub-continent are looking forward to is the India vs Pakistan match, which will take place in Dubai on February 23. While the arch-rivalry between the two teams is legendary, this time the match hold extra significance in the back-drop of what happened in the build-up of the Champions Trophy 2025. 

The Champions Trophy 2025 was originally supposed to take place in Pakistan wholly, but the BCCI stated that it would not be sending the Indian cricket team to the country.  Then, after much deliberation, it was decided that the tournament will be played in a hybrid format, with India playing all its matches in Dubai. 

The decision has clearly left the Pakistan fans miffed, who after years hoped to see an India vs Pakistan clash in their own country. According to Pakistan journalist Farid Khan, Pakistan cricket fans are angry with India. He posted a video showing a Pakistan cricket fan asking the Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan team to keep its friendship aside with Indian cricketers till the Champions Trophy match. He also tells Pakistan players "to not hug Virat Kohli and other Indian players". 

Pakistan fans really angry with Indian cricket team

They want Pakistan players to not hug Indian players during Champions Trophy

pic.twitter.com/ctH30kOBVb

Unlike in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup or the Men's T20 World Cup, where India has a significant advantage over Pakistan, the Men in Green have a 3-2 advantage against the latter in the Champions Trophy.

In fact, during the 2017 Champions Trophy final the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Pakistan beat Virat