The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be held in Pakistan, is a landmark event since the country will host its first ICC tournament after 1996. However, the event will break with tradition as there will be no official captain’s call or photoshoot before the tournament. This has led to discussions, and the PCB clarified that logistical challenges and scheduling conflicts are the main reasons behind the decision.
A Tradition Shift: No Official Captain’s Call or photoshoot
The ICC tournaments usually have a captain’s event and photoshoot in which the heads of the teams come together to hold a press conference. In the 2025 Champions Trophy, this is not going to happen. The teams are landing in Pakistan days before the commencement of the tournament. Australia, for instance, will land on February 19, the day the tournament commences. Under such a schedule, it becomes impossible to have a proper captains’ event.
Interestingly, this is not the first time the ICC has avoided such launch ceremonies. The 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup had also decided on a different launch, by projecting images of all 20 captains onto New York City’s Rockefeller Center. For the Champions Trophy, the PCB will hold a special event in Lahore on February 16, three days before the tournament commences, and ICC officials are likely to attend.
Political Tensions and Hybrid Model
In that regard, it also brings clarity to the possible presence of Rohit Sharma in Pakistan, for the captain’s event will not be there, and political tension between India and Pakistan does not allow BCCI to confirm the travel of Rohit Sharma to such an event. Under the hybrid model, India’s matches, including the final, if they make it that far, will be held in Dubai.
This hybrid model represents the strained cricketing ties between the two countries. Even though Pakistan has toured India multiple times for ICC events, India has not played in Pakistan since 2008. The model shall also apply to ICC tournament models in India until 2027 where Pakistan shall play their matches at neutral venues.
Stadium Overhauls and Ceremonies
The PCB is also joyous about the fact that major renovations of stadiums are now complete. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on February 7, while the National Stadium in Karachi is to be thrown open by President Asif Ali Zardari on February 11. Pakistan is well poised, after all, to host a tournament of international standards.
With the Champions Trophy nearing, the focus has shifted from the traditional fanfare to the action on the field, promising an exciting tournament despite the absence of customary pre-event rituals.
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