Champions Trophy 2025 Opening Ceremony: PCB Plan Special Events After Official Ceremony Cancellation - Report

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly finalized a set of special events after the original opening ceremony for next month's Champions Trophy 2025 was cancelled due to late arrival of a few teams.

PCB and ICC had to do away with plans for an opening ceremony and pre-tournament events, including the captains' press conference and photoshoot, ahead of the Champions Trophy opener on February 19 in Karachi.

However, recent report suggest the country's cricket governing body has planned for special events, similar to an opening ceremony at the two venues and a main launch ceremony in Lahore ahead of the ICC tournament.

According to a report in Geo Super, PCB has planned three special ceremonies for the Champions Trophy, starting from February 7 at the upgraded Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore followed by one at National Stadium in Karachi on February 11 before the main ceremony on February 16 in Hazoori Bagh.

The three special events will be attended by some distinguished guests. The main opening ceremony will see key national figures, prominent cricketers, and ICC officials in attendance, while Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to be the chief guest for the February 7 event.

The report also added that former President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to be the chief guest for the February 11 event in Karachi. All this plans are being made after the official Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony, originally planned for February 16, was cancelled due to the late arrival of Australia and England.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will see eight teams do battle for the coveted trophy in 15 matches from February 19 to March 9, across four venues in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai.

The tournament, originally set to be hosted by Pakistan alone, was changed to hybrid model after India's reluctance to travel to their neighbouring country citing security concerns. Team India will play all their matches in Dubai.