The debate over whether Rohit Sharma would travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 captains’ meet has finally been put to rest. A new report from Cricbuzz confirms that the Indian skipper will not be required to visit Pakistan as the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have scrapped plans for an official opening ceremony or captains’ photo-op.
No Official Opening Ceremony or Captains’ Meet
The BCCI had earlier opposed the Indian cricket team’s visit to Pakistan, leading to a hybrid model for the tournament. As a result, all of India’s matches will be held in Dubai, rather than Pakistan—the designated host nation.
Now, reports suggest that the much-anticipated captains’ meet will not take place. A source quoted in the Cricbuzz report clarified: “An opening ceremony was never announced either by the ICC or the PCB. The last opening ceremony with all the participating players taking part was held in Dhaka 2011. Never after.”
Another report further revealed that logistical constraints forced the PCB to cancel the customary captains’ gathering. A source stated: “The thing is all teams have tight schedules before the tournament. England and India are playing a white-ball series while Australia is playing a Test and ODI series in Sri Lanka.”
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be played from February 19 to March 9, with matches scheduled across three venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai. However, for security reasons, India will play all their matches in Dubai, including the final if they qualify.
Despite the cancellation of the captains’ meet, the PCB has announced an inauguration event on February 16 at Huzoor Bagh in Lahore. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has also approved a series of pre-tournament events:
February 7 – Official reopening of the renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif invited as the chief guest.
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February 11 – Launch of the revamped National Stadium in Karachi, with President Asif Ali Zardari in attendance.
February 16 – Inauguration ceremony for the tournament.
Teams’ Arrival in Pakistan
According to reports, England will land in Lahore on February 18, while Australia is scheduled to arrive on February 19. Given the tight schedules of the participating teams, the ICC and PCB have also decided against a collective press conference of all captains before the tournament.
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“We have also decided in conjunction with the ICC that there will be no official collective press conference of all captains as not all will be available before the tournament, nor any official photo shoot at one place.”
With the tournament shaping up under a hybrid hosting model, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a thrilling spectacle, despite the absence of some traditional pre-tournament formalities.
