Tag: icc champions

LAHORE: Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of Pakistan Cricket (PCB) on Friday said that Gaddafi Stadium will be inaugurated on February 7 by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ahead of the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

During a press conference held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Naqvi discussed the key developments regarding the Champions Trophy and the progress of stadium construction.

Mohsin Naqvi also announced the dates of the inauguration of Qaddafi Stadium Lahore and National Bank Stadium Karachi ahead of the mega event.

“Prime Minister [Shehbaz Sharif] will inaugurate Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium on February 7 and President [Asif Ali Zardari] will inaugurate Karachi’s stadium on February 11,” Naqvi stated.

“We have scheduled a Champions Trophy ceremony for February 16 in Lahore in collaboration with the ICC,” the PCB chief said.

He further stated about the stadium’s construction timeline and also thanked the people who had been critical of the project.

”The stadium’s construction began in October and today its progress is in front of you.”We appreciate the critics,” he said.

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Naqvi also revealed about holding a meeting with the selection committee, saying that the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 will be announced later today.

He further briefed about extending invitations to the ICC officials and all cricket boards including the Board of Control for Cricket in India to visit for the games.

“Some of them plan to arrive for the semi-final while others plan to visit Pakistan for the final. The schedule for their arrival differs, but a lot of guests are coming to Pakistan,” Chairman PCB said.

Responding to the questions about chairs at Gaddafi Stadium, Mohsin Naqvi said that high-quality chairs were imported from China۔

“The chairs are five times cheaper and of international standard with a warranty of 20 years,” Naqvi said.

READ: Former England cricketer names Pakistan as favorites for Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has recently reminisced about the country’s historic triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, vividly looking back at the electrifying final match against India.

In a recent ICC video, Afridi shared that he was playing for the Pakistan U19 team at that time and it was one of the most special moments in the country’s cricket history.

“I was playing for Pakistan U-19 when we won the Champions Trophy in 2017. I watched that game on TV, and it was a special moment for our country,” he stated.

Shaheen Afridi also expressed his desire to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and don the iconic white jacket, while praising Mohammad Amir and Fakhar Zaman for their performance in the 2017 final.

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“I want us to wear that white coat again after the final this time. I can never forget Fakhar Zaman’s innings, which changed the game completely, and Mohammad Amir’s spell,” he added.

“Everyone contributed to the win, but those performances stand out. I believe it was a team effort, and we need that again. We want to win the title once more and keep the trophy at home.”

For the unversed, Mohammad Amir wreaked havoc on India’s top order in the Champions Trophy 2017 final, dismissing the star-studded trio of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli, to help Pakistan achieve one of the most glorious feats in history.

Amir’s sensational figures of 3 for 16 in six overs helped the Green Shirts to bowl out India for 158 after Fakhar Zaman’s century helped Pakistan set a mammoth 339-run target.

READ: Virat Kohli declines captaincy ahead of Ranji Trophy return: reports

India captain Rohit Sharma has defended the decision to include four spinners in the squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

India revealed their provisional squad for the eight-team event on 18 January, including four spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav.

There were concerns about the fitness of Yadav, who had been out of action since his hernia surgery in November, however, he was still named in the India squad.

The announcement was made during a press conference, where skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the media. Speaking about the spinners’ roles, Rohit highlighted their importance in adding depth to both the batting and bowling departments.

“The spinners give us depth when we have spinning all-rounders. While we don’t have many seaming all-rounders, these players bring quality in both batting and bowling,” said Sharma.

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“Sundar, Jadeja, and Axar are proper all-rounders, not just spin-bowling all-rounders.”

The 37-year-old skipper expressed satisfaction with the spinners’ past performances and their adaptability to various roles.

“These players are not selected just to fill a spot as batters or bowlers. They’ve performed in key situations, and the team is confident in their abilities,” he added.

“Having this depth with quality spin options is always beneficial.”

India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja

*Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad is subject to his fitness.

READ: Sunil Gavaskar names his favorites for Champions Trophy 2025