Lahore Hosts Grand Opening Ceremony for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural heart, kicked off the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a spectacular opening ceremony at the historic Lahore Fort on Sunday night. The event brought together cricketing legends, officials, and fans to celebrate the nation’s rich cultural heritage and its love for the sport.
PCB Chairman’s Address
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi delivered an address, highlighting the international attention on Pakistan’s readiness for the tournament. He expressed pride in hosting the prestigious event, calling it a “great honour” for the country. Naqvi emphasized the swift renovations made to Gaddafi and National Stadiums to ensure the tournament’s success and reaffirmed the PCB’s commitment to showcasing Pakistan’s culture and hospitality.
Cricketing Legends in Attendance
The opening ceremony was graced by former and current cricket stars, including the 2017 Champions Trophy-winning team. Players such as Sarfraz Ahmed, Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali, and Shadab Khan attended, along with former South African batsman JP Duminy and New Zealand’s Tim Southee.
A Celebration of Heritage and Cricket
The event combined cricketing excellence with a celebration of Pakistan’s heritage, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Geoff Allardice praised the rapid upgrades to the stadiums and shared his excitement for the upcoming tournament. He emphasized Pakistan’s opportunity to showcase its passion for cricket and expressed anticipation for the upcoming matches.
Tournament Schedule
The Champions Trophy will officially begin on Wednesday, February 19, with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. The Indian team has already arrived in Dubai for their match against Bangladesh on February 20.
Full Champions Trophy Schedule
- February 19: Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi
- February 20: Bangladesh v India, Dubai, UAE
- February 21: Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi
- February 22: Australia v England, Lahore
- February 23: Pakistan v India, Dubai
- February 24: Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi
- February 25: Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi
- February 26: Afghanistan v England, Lahore
- February 27: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
- February 28: Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore
- March 1: South Africa v England, Karachi
- March 2: New Zealand v India, Dubai, UAE
- March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai, UAE
- March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore
- March 9: Final, Lahore (if India qualifies, final will be in Dubai)
- March 10: Reserve Day
