According to the Pakistan Cricket Board source, “unavailability of teams due to tight travelling schedules” compelled the PCB to call off the pre-tournament captains’ meeting.
A source in the host cricket board told PTI on Thursday that there would be no captains’ conference or photo shoot in Pakistan prior to the ICC Champions Trophy, making it impossible for the captain of India to visit the nation for any pre-tournament activities.
A source from the Pakistan Cricket Board stated that “unavailability of teams due to tight travelling schedules” was the reason the PCB had to call off the pre-tournament captains’ meeting.Instead of holding an official opening ceremony, he said, the PCB would have an inauguration event for the tournament on February 16 in Lahore.
Before the commencement of an ICC event, captains from each competing team assemble for a pre-tournament photo opportunity, as is customary.Three locations in Pakistan and one in Dubai will host the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to take place from February 19–March 9.
However, for security considerations, India will not visit Pakistan; instead, they will play all of their games in Dubai.
The title match will also take place in Dubai if they get to the final.
In Lahore, the Huzoor Bagh will host the inauguration event.The source said that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has finalized a program of events for the big event’s first match at Karachi’s National Stadium.
On February 7, the PCB will officially inaugurate the refurbished Gaddafi stadium, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif as the chief guest.
The PCB will hold a ceremony on February 11 to inaugurate the refurbished National Stadium in Karachi, with President Asif Ali Zardari as the chief guest.
“The inauguration ceremony will take place on February 16,” the insider said.He stated that England and Australia would arrive in Lahore on February 18 and 19, respectively.
“We have also decided in conjunction with the ICC that there will be no official collective press conference of all captains as not all will be available before the tournament nor any official photo shoot at one place.”
