BCCI Wins? Rohit Sharma Won’t Step Foot in Pakistan for Champions Trophy

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Rohit Sharma will not be travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 captains’ meet. Earlier, there was speculation about whether he would attend the event. However, reports now confirm that there will be no official captains’ meet or photo session.

No Opening Ceremony for Champions Trophy

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have decided not to hold a formal opening ceremony for the Champions Trophy. A report in Cricbuzz states that there was never an official announcement regarding an opening ceremony. The last time all players participated in such an event was in Dhaka in 2011.

A separate report by PTI suggests that the PCB had to cancel the captains’ meet due to tight travel schedules. Teams like England and India will be playing a white-ball series, while Australia will be involved in a Test and ODI series in Sri Lanka. Due to these commitments, a collective captains’ press conference and group photo session will not take place.

Tournament to Follow Hybrid Model

The Champions Trophy 2025 will be played from February 19 to March 9. Matches will take place in three venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai. Due to security concerns, the Indian team will play all their matches in Dubai. If they qualify for the final, that match will also be held in Dubai.

Instead of an opening ceremony, the PCB has planned an inauguration event in Lahore on February 16. The PCB will also officially open the renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 7, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif as the chief guest. On February 11, a similar event will take place at the National Stadium in Karachi, with President Asif Ali Zardari in attendance.

England is expected to arrive in Lahore on February 18, while Australia will reach on February 19. With these teams arriving close to the tournament’s start date, the decision was made to avoid a combined captains’ press conference and official photo shoot.

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