Rohit Sharma won’t travel to Pakistan as hosts cancel Captains’ photoshoot and conference before Champions Trophy

The ICC Champions Trophy will not have a captains’ photoshoot or conference in Pakistan ahead of the tournament, a source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told PTI on Thursday. This decision eliminates Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s possibility to visit Pakistan for pre-tournament engagements.According to the PCB source, the board was compelled to cancel the traditional captains’ gathering due to the tight schedule of the participating teams. “All teams have tight schedules before the tournament. England and India are engaged in a white-ball series, while Australia is playing Tests and ODIs in Sri Lanka,” the source explained.

Instead of an official opening ceremony, the PCB will host an inauguration event in Lahore on February 16. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, will be played across three venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai.

India will, however, not travel to Pakistan for security reasons and will instead play all their matches in Dubai. If they qualify for the final, the title clash will also be played in Dubai. The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Huzoor Bagh in Lahore.The source though confirmed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had approved a scheduled list of events before the first match of the mega event at the National Stadium in Karachi. The PCB will officially open the renovated Gaddafi stadium on February 7 to which Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been invited as the chief guest.

On February 11, the PCB will launch the renovated National Stadium in Karachi with a ceremony in which President Asif Ali Zardari has been invited as the chief guest. “On 16th Feb we will have the inauguration ceremony,” the source said. He said England will reach Lahore on February 18 while Australia is reaching on February 19.

“We have also decided in conjunction with the ICC that there will be no official collective press conference of all captains as not all will be available before the tournament nor any official photo shoot at one place.”

(With PTI inputs)