The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will start with out a gap ceremony as a result of late arrival of two groups for the marquee match, which is scheduled to begin on February 19. Whereas no official announcement was ever made, earlier experiences prompt {that a} ceremony was deliberate by the host nation.
The Champions Trophy 2025, that includes eight high ODI groups, might be performed from February 19 to March 9. Pakistan is the official host of the match, with matches held in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. Nonetheless, India’s video games, together with knockout matches, might be performed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to Start With out Opening Ceremony
Earlier than the mega match begins, the host nation often arranges a significant occasion that includes all group captains. This features a group photograph and a press convention the place they focus on their expectations. For the Champions Trophy, all eight captains have been anticipated to take part on this conventional gathering.
Nonetheless, the upcoming marquee occasion will start with out a gap ceremony on account of England and Australia’s delayed arrivals, as per their schedules submitted to the ICC. The normal captains’ press convention and photograph shoot have been canceled, and Rohit Sharma won’t journey to Karachi.
England will arrive in Lahore on February 18, whereas Australia is ready to land on February 19. Bangladesh and India will attain Dubai on February 15, and Afghanistan will arrive in Islamabad on February 12.
New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa will already be in Pakistan after enjoying a tri-nation ODI sequence in Lahore and Karachi from February 8 to 14. Pakistan will face New Zealand within the match’s opening match, scheduled for February 19 in Karachi.
ICC and PCB Deem Champions Trophy Opening Ceremony Unfeasible
As per a report by The Information, England opted for a one-week break after their white-ball sequence in India, which ends on February 12. Australia, presently enjoying a Take a look at sequence in Sri Lanka, will take a four-day relaxation earlier than heading to Lahore. The ICC and PCB discovered it unfeasible to prepare a gap ceremony.
“Whereas the ICC and the PCB had proven curiosity in organising the opening ceremony, the arrival schedules of England and Australia groups, bearing in mind their gamers’ workload administration, make it not possible to carry any occasion earlier than the beginning of the match,” an ICC supply, talking on situation of anonymity, advised The Information.
England and Australia Withdraw from Heat-Up Matches
England and Australia have opted out of warm-up matches on account of their late arrivals. Each groups need to enter the Champions Trophy after ending their ODI sequence. The PCB confirmed that discussions about a gap ceremony occurred with the ICC, however no official announcement was made.
“We by no means confirmed a gap ceremony, as this was neither formally scheduled nor it was confirmed by the ICC. It was all the time a piece in progress,” a PCB supply defined.
“Whereas we had expressed our want to host a gap occasion, it was all the time clear that any such ceremony would require the participation of all groups, which, given the present arrival schedules, is just not potential,” the PCB supply concluded.
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