The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will depart from tradition, with no captains' meet or official photoshoot ahead of the tournament. The change is attributed to logistical difficulties, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that there would be no formal opening ceremony for the event, and the ICC had not made an official announcement regarding such a gathering.
However, a smaller event supported by the ICC will take place in Lahore on February 16, three days before the first match. ICC officials attending the event in Lahore are expected to be present.
The decision to forgo the captains' press conference and photoshoot is largely due to the tournament's hybrid model, which involves matches across four venues in two countries.
With tight scheduling, teams will only arrive in Pakistan shortly before the competition begins. Notably, Australia will land on February 19, the same day as the opening match.
This change also addresses potential diplomatic concerns regarding Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s presence in Pakistan.
Political tensions have prevented India from playing in Pakistan since 2008, and the team will participate in the tournament under a hybrid model, with all their matches, including a potential final, played in Dubai.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently clarified that Rohit’s travel to Pakistan for a captains' event had not been discussed and was not on the agenda.
Similar adjustments were made during the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, where logistical challenges led the ICC to replace the captains' meet with a digital launch.
Captains' images were projected onto New York’s Rockefeller Center, instead of holding the in-person event.
Meanwhile, the PCB is preparing to unveil two newly refurbished stadiums.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, undergoing a significant revamp, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on February 7, the day before it hosts the first ODI of a tri-series between South Africa and New Zealand.
Similarly, the National Stadium in Karachi will be inaugurated by President Asif Ali Zardari on February 11.
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