The Champions Trophy 2025 will begin in Pakistan without the traditional captains’ press conference and photoshoot. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) cited logistical challenges as the reason, as teams are arriving close to the tournament’s start. Instead, the PCB will host an official launch event in Lahore on February 16, just three days before the opening match.
No Formal ICC Captains’ Event
Unlike previous ICC tournaments, this edition of the Champions Trophy will not feature an official captains’ meet or photoshoot. The PCB explained that with the tournament being played across multiple venues in two countries, it was difficult to coordinate schedules. Australia, for example, will not arrive in Pakistan until February 19, the day of their first match.
While the last Champions Trophy in 2017 did not have an opening ceremony, it still included a captains’ event and photoshoot. This time, however, there was no official ICC announcement regarding such an event. The PCB’s February 16 gathering in Lahore will serve as the tournament’s official launch, with ICC officials expected to attend.
Read: Pakistan Yet to Announce Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
India’s Hybrid Model and Political Tensions
The absence of a captains’ event also means that India captain Rohit Sharma will not need to travel to Pakistan.
Due to political tensions, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012. While Pakistan has traveled to India for ICC tournaments, India has not played in Pakistan since 2008. To address this issue, the Champions Trophy will follow a hybrid model, with India’s matches, including the final if they qualify, being held in Dubai. This model will also apply to future ICC events in India until 2027, allowing Pakistan to play its matches at neutral venues.
ICC’s Alternative Approaches
This is not the first time the ICC has skipped a captains’ event. The 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, held in the Caribbean and the USA, also did not have a traditional photoshoot. Instead, the ICC used a lighting projection show in New York City, featuring images of the 20 captains on the Rockefeller Center building.
Revamped Stadiums in Pakistan
Ahead of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan has refurbished major stadiums. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be officially inaugurated on February 7 by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The venue will host its first international game since reconstruction on February 8, an ODI between Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Similarly, the National Stadium in Karachi will be reopened by President Asif Ali Zardari on February 11. These upgrades reflect Pakistan’s commitment to hosting international cricket at the highest level.
With no traditional captains’ event, the focus now shifts to Lahore’s February 16 ceremony and the on-field action as teams prepare for the Champions Trophy’s much-anticipated return.
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