Monitoring Desk
ISLAMBAD: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 officially kicked off with a modest opening ceremony at the historic Lahore Fort’s Deewan-e-Aam on Sunday, featuring members of Pakistan’s 2017 title-winning squad in the absence of participating teams.
As hosts and defending champions, Pakistan will compete in the tournament from February 19 to March 9, after the ICC reinstated the event following its earlier discontinuation.
During a panel discussion, Sarfraz Ahmed, captain of Pakistan’s victorious 2017 Champions Trophy team, expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to defend the title on home soil.
“Winning the Champions Trophy was an unforgettable moment for us,” Sarfraz said, joined by former teammates Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Haris Sohail, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, and Shadab Khan in the audience.
The discussion, hosted by West Indies great Ian Bishop, also featured ex-South African batter J.P. Duminy, who tipped Afghanistan as a dark horse for the semi-finals.
Tournament Groups:
🔹 Group ‘A’: Pakistan, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh
🔹 Group ‘B’: Afghanistan, South Africa, Australia, England
The tournament opener will see Pakistan face New Zealand on Wednesday, while Afghanistan, New Zealand, and South Africa have already arrived in Karachi for their respective matches.
Former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee, who recently participated in a tri-series against Pakistan, anticipates highly competitive cricket in the coming days. “We’re in for some very exciting matches,” he remarked.
This marks the first ICC tournament on Pakistani soil since the 1996 ODI World Cup, a milestone acknowledged by ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice. “The Pakistani nation has a deep passion for cricket,” he stated, commending the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts in upgrading Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi’s stadiums for the event.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that the tournament presents a unique opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s hospitality and cultural heritage.
India’s Absence from the Opening Ceremony
For the first time in Champions Trophy history, the opening ceremony was held without the presence of participating teams, following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan.
Additionally, there will be no pre-tournament captains’ photoshoot or press conference, as all of India’s matches will be played in the UAE under a hybrid model.
This arrangement also ensures that Pakistan’s matches in future ICC tournaments hosted by India will be staged at neutral venues.
