The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 may begin without the usual opening ceremony or captains' press conference, following a revised arrival schedule for participating teams.
This year, the England and Australia cricket teams will arrive in Pakistan closer to the tournament's start.
Sources within the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that teams, including England and Australia, will reach Pakistan after their respective tours.
England is scheduled to conclude its tour of India by February 12, while Australia will finish its series in Sri Lanka on February 14.
As a result, both teams have withdrawn from the warm-up matches, a decision consistent with previous ICC events, where late arrivals prevented practice games.
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had expressed interest in hosting an opening ceremony, but logistical challenges tied to the teams' arrival schedules led to its cancellation.
The PCB clarified that while the event was not officially confirmed, it was always considered a possibility.
Despite cancelling the opening ceremony and press conference, the PCB remains focused on creating an alternative event to celebrate the significance of hosting the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time in 29 years.
The first match of the tournament, between Pakistan and New Zealand, is scheduled for February 19 in Karachi.
The PCB has stated that a celebration for fans will be organized ahead of the match to highlight the excitement surrounding the event.
