Because the cricketing world awaits the beginning of the ICC Champions Trophy, a modest opening ceremony for the worldwide occasion has already been accomplished. The low-key opening ceremony was held in Lahore on Sunday the place the members of Pakistan’s 2017 ICC Champions Trophy-winning workforce had been current. The likes of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Azhar Ali, Junaid Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, and Haris Sohail attended the curtain-raiser occasion in Lahore. Amongst worldwide attendees, the likes of New Zealand bowler Tim Southee, ambassador of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and retired South African all-rounder JP Duminy had been current.
The opening ceremony began off with performances from prime Pakistani music artists and fireworks earlier than the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) addressed the attendees with a speech.
“I guarantee each cricket fan and supporter that Pakistan is prepared for the Champions Trophy. As we converse 4 groups have already arrived in Karachi whereas England and Australia will land within the subsequent 48 hours.
“Internet hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been a protracted effort requiring tireless dedication and sacrifices. To make sure a world-class expertise we began the upgradation of Gaddafi and Nationwide Stadium. Because of the efforts of the employees, each venues have been remodeled into state-of-the-art amenities in file time.”
Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led Pakistan to Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, the place the workforce defeated India within the last, is hopeful of seeing the workforce repeating the feat on house soil this time.
“I hope the workforce can defend the title on house soil,” Ahmed mentioned throughout a panel dialogue with Southee and Duminy.
Nevertheless, it was demoralizing to see not one of the captains or representatives of the eight taking part nations of the Champions Trophy being current on the venue for the curtain-raiser occasion. The customary captains’ photoshoot additionally did not occur. There have been talks of the occasion going down earlier however India captain Rohit Sharma‘s refusal to journey to Pakistan noticed the thought being discarded in a while.
One other opening ceremony for the Champions Trophy has been scheduled for 19 February, when the primary match of the event will happen between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand on the Nationwide Financial institution Cricket Stadium in Karachi.
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