The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony cancelled due to the delayed arrival of key teams, affecting pre-tournament events such as the captain’s press conference and official photoshoot in Karachi.
Why Was the Opening Ceremony Cancelled?
While an opening ceremony was never officially confirmed, there had been reports suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) were considering one. However, delays in the arrival schedules of England and Australia made it impractical to proceed with such plans.
According to sources, both the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) have shared their travel itineraries:
- England will arrive in Lahore on February 18.
- Australia will land in Pakistan on February 19.
- Bangladesh and India will first arrive in Dubai on February 15.
- Afghanistan is scheduled to reach Islamabad on February 12.
- New Zealand and South Africa will already be in Pakistan following a tri-nation ODI series in Lahore and Karachi from February 8 to 14.
England opted for a one-week break after their exhausting India tour, which concludes on February 12. Similarly, Australia, following their Sri Lanka series ending on February 14, chose a four-day rest period before flying to Pakistan.
As a result of their late arrivals, both England and Australia have opted to skip their designated warm-up matches, a decision previously taken by teams in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
PCB’s Response and Alternative Plans
An ICC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that while the ICC and PCB were interested in organizing an opening ceremony for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, team schedules and player workload management made it unfeasible. The PCB later clarified that while discussions were held internally, no official announcement about an opening ceremony was made.
Despite the cancellation, Pakistan is set to celebrate the return of the ICC Champions Trophy in a special way. The PCB has planned an exciting event ahead of the Pakistan vs. New Zealand opening match on February 19 in Karachi to mark the country’s return as an ICC tournament host after 29 years.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Groups and Match Schedule
The tournament, which runs from February 19 to March 9, 2025, which has also disturbed the PSL 2025 Schedule will feature eight teams battling it out in 15 matches across four major venues: Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai.
Group A
- Pakistan
- India
- New Zealand
- Bangladesh
Group B
- Afghanistan
- South Africa
- England
- Australia
Key Matches to Watch Out For
- Pakistan vs. New Zealand (Tournament Opener) – February 19, Karachi
- Pakistan vs. India (Arch-rival Showdown) – February 23, Dubai
As Pakistan gears up to host its first ICC tournament in nearly three decades, both Karachi and Lahore stadiums have undergone extensive renovations to meet international standards. The PCB remains committed to ensuring an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike.
Despite the absence of an opening ceremony for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, cricket fans worldwide can expect an electrifying tournament filled with intense rivalries, historic moments, and top-tier cricketing action.