The opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place on either February 16 or 17, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confident that Indian captain Rohit Sharma will attend the event.
According to a PCB source, they are awaiting confirmation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the schedule for the customary captains photo shoot and the pre-event press conference.
The eight-team tournament will kick off on February 19 in Karachi. However, India will play all their matches in Dubai, starting with a game against Bangladesh on February 20, as the team has declined to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns.
The PCB has assured that it has obtained all necessary government clearances to issue visas promptly to all captains – including India’s Rohit Sharma, players, and team officials participating in pre-tournament events. “This, of course, includes Rohit Sharma or any other Indian player, official, or board representative,” the source added.
PCB WRITES A LETTER TO ICC
– PCB urges ICC to ensure, all the Captains attend the Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony. [Geo Super] pic.twitter.com/Tej0yq7Nzm
— Salman
(@SalmanAsif2007) January 15, 2025
Another official confirmed to PTI news agency that the PCB has emphasized to the ICC that the opening ceremony, featuring all participating teams and their captains, will take place in Pakistan.
“This aligns with standard protocols, and since the first match is scheduled for February 19, the opening ceremony is expected to be held on either the 16th or 17th,” the source explained.
The final date for the ceremony will depend on the schedule for the warm-up matches. Additionally, the source highlighted that three Indian nationals who were part of an ICC delegation recently visiting Pakistan were issued visas promptly after the ICC shared their details with the PCB.
However, another news agency claimed that Rohit Sharma’s trip to Pakistan is not confirmed. “Rohit Sharma will not travel to Pakistan, first let the team be announced, and then we will look into this. No decision as yet,” a BCCI official said.
Breaking: Rohit sharma will not travel to Pakistan , First let the team be announced, then we will look into this. No decision as yet.: BCCI source
— vipul kashyap (@kashyapvipul) January 15, 2025
Rohit Sharma has only played in 6 ODI matches in his 265-game career in Pakistan. In these 6 matches, Rohit has scored 116 runs at an average of 29 with one fifty. His last international appearance in Pakistan was during 2008 Asia Cup in Karachi.
About The Author
