PCB finalizes plans for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized its plans for the opening ceremonies of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with multiple events scheduled at various venues, sources confirmed on Thursday.

According to insiders, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has given final approval for all related events. The main opening ceremony will be held on February 16 at Hazuri Bagh. Additionally, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host an opening ceremony on February 7, while the National Stadium in Karachi will have its own event on February 11, the sources revealed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to be the chief guest at the Lahore ceremony, while President Asif Ali Zardari is likely to attend the Karachi event as the chief guest.

Sources from the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed that the arrival schedules from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) will prevent their participation in the ceremonies. England’s team is due to arrive in Lahore on February 18, while Australia will land in Pakistan on February 19.

Bangladesh and India are set to reach Dubai on February 15, while Afghanistan will arrive in Islamabad on February 12.

New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa will already be in Pakistan following a tri-nation ODI series in Lahore and Karachi, scheduled from February 8 to 14.

The opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand is scheduled to take place in Karachi on February 19.

The sources also explained that England has opted for a one-week break after their month-long tour of India, which will conclude on February 12.

Australia, currently engaged in a two-Test and two-ODI series in Sri Lanka, will finish their series in Colombo on February 14, followed by a four-day break before traveling to Lahore.

Due to their late arrival, both England and Australia have chosen not to participate in warm-up matches. Each team is entitled to two warm-up games, but both teams have agreed to enter the tournament without any practice matches, as they will have just completed their respective ODI series.

Pakistan will host at least 10 matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while Dubai will host three matches involving India and the first semi-final.

If India does not qualify for the final on March 9, the match will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Otherwise, the final will take place in Dubai.

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