By Rohit - January 31, 2025 12:21 PMThe 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by Pakistan, will break with tradition as the pre-tournament captains' photoshoot and conference have been canceled. A source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) attributed the cancellation to the "unavailability of teams due to tight traveling schedules." With several teams, including England and India, engaged in bilateral series leading up to the tournament, coordinating their arrival in Pakistan proved too challenging.
The Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will be held across three venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai. India's matches, including a potential final, will be played in Dubai due to security concerns, meaning the Indian captain's presence in Pakistan was never on the cards.
Instead of a captains' gathering, the PCB has planned a series of events leading up to the tournament. The renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be officially opened on February 7, with the Prime Minister of Pakistan as the chief guest. Karachi's National Stadium, also newly renovated, will be inaugurated on February 11, with the President in attendance. An inauguration ceremony for the Champions Trophy itself will be held at the Huzoor Bagh in Lahore on February 16.
The PCB source confirmed that Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has approved the planned events. England is expected to arrive in Lahore on February 18, followed by Australia on February 19, just before the tournament commences.
The decision to forgo the traditional captains' photoshoot and press conference was made in consultation with the ICC. The PCB acknowledged the logistical difficulties of gathering all captains before the tournament, given the teams' prior commitments. This unusual move reflects the complexities of scheduling and international cricket in the modern era.
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