Opening event is set to take place on 16th February 2025 at Hazuri Bagh in Lahore, as tell sources.
. Opening events of Champions Trophy 2025 will be hosted by Lahore, Karachi.
. President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz expected as chief guests.
. Due to late arrival England and Australia will miss opening events.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has concluded plans for the opening ceremonies of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with multiple events scheduled across several venues, sources said to the Geo News on Thursday.
As per reports of insiders, Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of PCB has given his final approval for all related events. The principle opening ceremony is set to take place at Hazuri Bagh, Lahore on 16th February 2025.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host its own opening ceremony on 7th February 2025, while the National Stadium in Karachi will hold an inauguration event on 11th February, sources disclosed.
At the Lahore ceremony, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif is excerpted to be the chief guest, while President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari is expected to attend the Karachi event as the chief guest.
According to sources in the International Cricket Council (ICC), the arrival schedules provided by the Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) make it not possible for them to participate in the events.
On 18th February 2025, England are due to arrive in Lahore, while the Australia team is set to land on 19th February 2025. India and Bangladesh are scheduled to reach Dubai on 15th February 2025, while Afghanistan will arrive Islamabad on 12th February 2025.
Due to tri-nation ODI series in Lahore and Karachi from 8th February to 14th February 2025, Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa will already be in Pakistan.
Pakistan will host 10 matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while Dubai will host three matches which will involved India matches and the first semi-final. If India do not qualify for the 9th March 2025 final, the match will take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, otherwise, the final will be held in Dubai.
