EXCLUSIVE | India snub: No opening ceremony for Champions Trophy

Shahid Hashmi
30 Jan 2025
16:40

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were forced to abandon plans of a colourful Champions Trophy opening ceremony and captains’ photo shoot after India gave no response to the offer. It is the latest blow to the hosts who are first forced the host the event on a hybrid model with India playing its matches on a hybrid model and skepticism on the readiness of the the venues in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

Sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net), PCB had suggested hosting the opening ceremony on February 17 – two days before the opening match of the eight-nation Champions Trophy in Karachi. The initial idea was floated, but the biggest question mark was whether Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and ICC chairman Jay Shah will travel to Karachi or not.

Champions Tophy
Champions Trophy

Indian media ruled out the possibility of Sharma travelling to Pakistan. Now the sources within the PCB confirmed there will be no opening ceremony nor any captains’ photo shoot. 

PCB sources told Telecom Asia Sport, (www.telecomasia.net).
Initially there were plans, but the ceremony was never announced either by the ICC or the PCB.

Most of the ICC events do not have an opening ceremony. In fact, the last opening ceremony involving all participating players was held in Dhaka ahead of the 2011 World Cup. There was no such ceremony at the T20 World Cup 2024, no captains' photo-shoot or press conference was held due to captains not being available at one location. The 2024 World Cup was jointly hosted by the United States and the West Indies.
Sources say, different timing of teams’ arrival and the fact that the Trophy was scheduled to be held on a hybrid model made the ceremony unrealistic.

For the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, England is arriving in Lahore on 18 February and Australia in arriving on 19 February. The two are due to play in Lahore on 22 February. England will arrive at the back of their series against India, which finishes on 12 February, while Australia will arrive after finishing their series against Sri Lanka on 14 February. Both the sides have taken a break en route to Lahore. Because the two sides will arrive either a day before or on the day of the opening match, all captains will not be available in the lead up to the tournament. As such, no captains' photo-shoot or joint-press conference will be held.

With no international stars or officials available, the PCB has planned its own ceremonies as Pakistan is holding the first ICC event since co-hosting the World Cup in 1996.

PCB sources added
PCB is proceeding with its pre-event ceremonies. On 7 February, PM Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the Gaddafi Stadium; President Asif Zardari will inaugurate the National Stadium on 11 February. The Champions Trophy will have a separate inauguration. The event’s inauguration will be held on 16 February at the Lahore Fort, in which various dignitaries and VVIPs of the ICC, other countries and former Pakistan cricketers will be in attendance.
A deplored former Pakistan spinner Tauseef Ahmed while speaking to www.telecomasia.net. said
It’s disappointing that we are not having an opening ceremony. I think India will continue to damage Pakistan on this event. Not having an opening ceremony with all teams and captains has deprived millions of fans in Pakistan. Pakistan is staging an event after a long time and there is an emotional side to it. Cricket community should have contributed in the opening ceremony. If it is done without India, let it happen.

Pakistan analysts believe the international community should have convinced the ICC and BCCI to have an opening ceremony as Pakistan is hosting an international event after a gap of 29 years.

Steve Smith reaches 10,000 Test runs milestone, fourth Australian to do so
Steve Smith reaches 10,000 Test runs milestone, fourth Australian to do so
Spinner Chakravarthy upbeat despite unwanted record as India lose to England
Spinner Chakravarthy upbeat despite unwanted record as India lose to England
EXCLUSIVE | David Miller on Paarl Fans, “They’re Really Passionate, I Just Really Love the Fans Out There”
EXCLUSIVE | David Miller on Paarl Fans, “They’re Really Passionate, I Just Really Love the Fans Out There”
Joe Root to Miss SA20 Play-offs, “It’s Never Hard to Go Back and Play International Cricket for Your Country”
Joe Root to Miss SA20 Play-offs, “It’s Never Hard to Go Back and Play International Cricket for Your Country”
EXCLUSIVE | Wasim Akram likens Pakistan’s defeat to whitewash of India
EXCLUSIVE | Wasim Akram likens Pakistan’s defeat to whitewash of India

DDCA scrambles for food and security as fans pour in to watch Virat Kohli play Ranji Trophy after 12 years

Steve Smith reaches 10,000 Test runs milestone, fourth Australian to do so

Spinner Chakravarthy upbeat despite unwanted record as India lose to England

EXCLUSIVE | David Miller on Paarl Fans, “They’re Really Passionate, I Just Really Love the Fans Out There”

Joe Root to Miss SA20 Play-offs, “It’s Never Hard to Go Back and Play International Cricket for Your Country”

Follow Telecom Asia Sport!
Comments
No Comments Yet! Be the first to share what you think!
This website uses cookies
This provides customers with a personalized experience and increases the efficiency of visiting the site, allowing us to provide the most efficient service. By using the website and accepting the terms of the policy, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy.