LAHORE: A vibrant and heart-throbbing inaugural ceremony at Deewan-e-Aam, Lahore Fort, officially marked the commencement of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025. The event, held on Sunday, set a festive tone for the prestigious tournament, which returns to Pakistan after almost 30 years.
The ceremony featured mesmerising performances by renowned singer Atif Aslam, who presented official song of the tournament along with other popular tracks. A panel of former cricketers and experts engaged in deep discussions with international legends about the tournament. The event was graced by top officials from the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Despite four teams already being stationed in Karachi, Lahore was chosen as the venue for this grand opening. A similar ceremony has been planned at the National Stadium Karachi before the first match between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19.
The spectacular show awaits fans for a thrilling surprise, ICC officials, cricketers, and legends alike. Highlights of the event included an aerial display by the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets, performing breathtaking aerobatic manoeuvres. The elite Sherdil Squadron added excitement with a smoke trail show. At Lahore Fort, the ceremony was given a Mughal era touch with ‘darbans’ holding spears while placed at various corners of the arena welcoming the guests. Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad including Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi also enjoyed the ceremony, alongside a group of star cricketers, including Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, and Haris Sohail.
In addition to the Pakistani players, former South African batsman JP Duminy and two of the ICC nominated Champions Trophy ambassadors, 2017 winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee were also among the attendants.
During the ceremony, former cricketers Sarfaraz Ahmed, JP Duminy and Tim Southee relived their Champions Trophy experiences and shared their memoirs.
Later, at the conclusion, fireworks illuminated the skies with different colours.
A second opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 19 featuring a special musical performance by Atif Aslam. The ICC had previously released the official anthem of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which was presented in full by Aslam, known for his powerful voice and global appeal.
The 2025 Champions Trophy is historically significant, marking the return of a major ICC event to Pakistan. The tournament features the top eight ODI teams, with matches scheduled in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Dubai. Initially planned to be held entirely in Pakistan, the tournament format changed due to India’s reluctance to travel, resulting in India playing its matches under a hybrid model in Dubai.
Pakistan, the reigning champion from the 2017 edition, is set to defend its title. Australia and India are the most successful teams in the tournament’s history, each boasting two titles.
Teams from New Zealand, South Africa, and Afghanistan have already arrived in Pakistan for the event, while Australia and England are expected on February 18 and 19, respectively. The Indian team will play in Dubai, with Bangladesh arriving in Pakistan after their match against India on February 20.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will run from February 19 to March 10, with the grand final set to take place in Lahore on March 9. If India qualifies for the final, it will be held in Dubai. Both semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The ICC has announced a total prize fund of $6.9 million, with the winning team receiving $2.24 million.
The countdown to one of international cricket’s most prestigious tournaments began with the official unveiling of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on February 8. This return of an ICC event to Pakistan has rejuvenated the nation’s cricketing spirit, with the PCB receiving overwhelming responses to ticket sales, showing a 30 per cent increase and prompting a 10 per cent increase in ticket allocation.
The current PCB administration, led by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, has been proactive in preparing for the event. Naqvi’s vision and dedication ensured the successful completion of stadium renovations within a short period of six months. His efforts, along with those of his team, have transformed the country’s cricket stadiums into world-class venues, rivaling the best globally.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience, showcasing Pakistan’s passion for cricket and its capability to host international events. With the nation’s cricketing heartbeat renewed, Pakistan is ready to reclaim its place in the cricketing world.