Younis Khan (left) and Virat Kohli (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has urged superstar Indian batter Virat Kohli to visit Pakistan and take part in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Stating that it’s the only feather that’s missing from his illustrious cap, Younis asserted that everyone in Pakistan will be very happy if Kohli plays in the country.

Pakistan are scheduled to host the 2025 Champions Trophy, but India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain. The BCCI has made it clear in the recent past that they wouldn’t be visiting Pakistan to play cricket matches owing to tension between the two sides.

Younis, though, is hoping that Kohli and the Indian team will come to Pakistan to play the Champions Trophy next year, telling News24, as quoted as saying by Times of India:

“Virat Kohli yahan pe aayein aur aake wo waise hi perform kare. Ek feather reh gaya hai unke career mein ki unhone Pakistan mai nahi khela.

“Agar wo aayenge toh hum sabko bohot acha lagega (Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, it’s our wish too. I think the only thing left in Kohli’s career is to tour Pakistan and perform in Pakistan. If he comes, we will be very happy).”

Kohli visited Pakistan with the India U-19 team in 2006. However, he has never played in the neighboring country while representing the senior men’s team. India have not featured in any bilateral cricket series with Pakistan since 2012. The last Test series played between the arch-rivals was back in 2007.

Virat Kohli’s record against Pakistan

While Kohli may have never visited Pakistan as a senior cricketer, he has a fantastic record against them in white-ball cricket. The 35-year-old has played 16 ODIs against Pakistan and scored 678 runs at an average of 52.15 and a strike rate of 100.29, with three hundreds and two fifties.

The right-handed batter struck 183 off 148 in Mirpur in the 2012 Asia Cup match. He compiled 107 off 126 in the 2015 World Cup clash in Adelaide. Kohli also hammered 122* off 94 in the Super 4 match of the 2023 Asia Cup in Colombo.

Speaking of his record against Pakistan in T20Is, the former India captain has featured in 11 matches and smashed 492 runs at an average of 70.28 and a strike rate of 123.92, with five fifties. He struck a sensational 82* off 53 in the humdinger at the MCG at the 2022 T20 World Cup.