Whether or not Rohit Sharma will go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 captains’ meet has been a matter of intense hypothesis. The BCCI was in opposition to the Indian cricket crew going to Pakistan – the designated hosts of the Champions Trophy – and therefore the match was shifted to a hybrid mannequin, the place India’s video games might be performed in Dubai. Then got here the difficulty of Rohit Sharma travelling to Pakistan for the customary captains’ meet – a typical observe forward of any large ICC occasion.
Now, a report in Cricbuzz has claimed that Rohit Sharma won’t should go to Champions Trophy because the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have cancelled the deliberate opening ceremony or captains photo-up.
In truth, it quoted a supply as saying: “An opening ceremony was never announced either by the ICC or the PCB. The last opening ceremony with all the participating players taking part was held in Dhaka 2011. Never after.”
Another report by information company PTI quoted a supply as saying the PCB was compelled to cancel the pre-tournament captains’ gathering due to “unavailability of teams due to tight travelling schedules.” “The thing is all teams have tight schedules before the tournament. England and India are playing a white-ball series while Australia is playing a Test and ODI series in Sri Lanka,” the supply mentioned.
He additionally mentioned the PCB will organise an inauguration occasion for the match on February 16 in Lahore as a substitute of an official opening ceremony.
As per custom, captains of all taking part groups collect for a pre-tournament photo-op earlier than the beginning of an ICC occasion.
The 2025 version of the Champions Trophy, which is about to be performed from February 19 to March 9, might be held throughout three venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai.
India will, nevertheless, not journey to Pakistan for safety causes and can as a substitute play all their matches in Dubai.
If they qualify for the ultimate, the title conflict will even be performed in Dubai.
The inauguration ceremony could be held on the Huzoor Bagh in Lahore.
The supply although confirmed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had authorised a scheduled listing of occasions previous to the primary match of the mega occasion on the National Stadium in Karachi.
The PCB will formally open the renovated Gaddafi stadium on February 7 during which Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been invited because the chief visitor.
On Feb 11, the PCB will launch the renovated National Stadium in Karachi with a ceremony during which President Asif Ali Zardari has been invited because the chief visitor.
“On 16th Feb we will have the inauguration ceremony,” the supply mentioned.
He mentioned England will attain Lahore on February 18 whereas Australia are reaching on February 19.
“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.”
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