Rohit Sharma’s Absence from Pakistan Champions Trophy: No Opening Ceremony to Attend
With the uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma’s absence from Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the question of whether he would participate in the opening ceremony has now been settled. Thanks to the cancellation of the planned opening ceremony and captains’ photo-op by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), there is no longer any need for Rohit to travel to Pakistan. This shift in logistics means that the Indian captain can stay in Dubai, the team’s base for the tournament, and stay focused on preparation for the competition, without the distraction of cross-border travel.
No Formal Opening Ceremony or Captains' Photo-Op for ICC Champions Trophy, Sources Confirm
Neither the ICC nor the PCB announced an opening ceremony, stated a source familiar with the development. The PCB said nothing about the topic, but they did not dispute the reality that there won’t be a formal opening ceremony or captains’ photo-op before the Champions Trophy, an ICC tournament they are hosting for the first time in close to 30 years.
Speculation Around Rohit Crossing the Wagah Border Ends: No Opening Ceremony for Upcoming Event
Whether Rohit would cross the Wagah, the first time a current Indian cricket player would have set foot on Pakistani territory since 2008, has generated much buzz. However, this speculation will come to an end. It will not be required as the authorities have moved on to clear things out. Referring to current events, they have clearly proved that the forthcoming event had no opening ceremony scheduled.The last opening ceremony, which included all the participating players, took place in Dhaka during the 2011 World Cup. A source clarified that the custom of hosting such large-scale events was not on the agenda this time.
Contrast in Pre-Tournament Preparations: No Picture Session or Press Conference for 2024 T20 World Cup, Unlike the 2023 ODI World Cup
To underline the point, the planners note that no picture session took place before the previous Twenty20 World Cup, which will take place in the US and West Indies in June 2024. “Nor was there a combined press conference before the tournament started,” noted one. This differs significantly from the 2023 World Cup, where a news conference in Ahmedabad summoned all 10 captains before the event began. Such variances in the pre-tournament plans draw attention to the different degrees of preparation and attention these two big events in the realm of cricket demand.
The planners have made clear that the different arrival times of the teams in Pakistan make a formal assembly of the captains or an opening ceremony impossible. Currently in India for their continuous series, the England team is expected to reach Lahore on February 18—almost exactly one week after their last ODI in Ahmedabad on February 12. According to reports, the England team is on a break following the end of their white-ball series, which is explaining their tardy arrival.
Just five days following their two-Test series in Sri Lanka, which ends on February 14, Australia’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan is scheduled to start on February 19. With both sides having a little break before the game to recuperate, this rigorous schedule offers the team a limited window before facing England in Lahore on February 22. The India captain will not be obliged to be in Pakistan for the event, and captains will not be available for a picture shoot or joint press conference due to the rapid turnaround.
On the other hand, it has come to light that the PCB will do certain pre-event ceremonies before the forthcoming cricket seasons. While President Asif Ali Zardari will open the recently rebuilt Gaddafi Stadium in Karachi on February 11, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to do so in Lahore on February 7. Top PCB executives will attend the PCB’s local opening ceremony in the old Lahore Fort on February 16. A few ICC officials are also likely to attend the event, launching what looks like an interesting season.
Starting on February 19 and running till March 9, the Champions Trophy has India playing all their games in Dubai.