Champions Trophy Opening Ceremony Sparks Excitement

The ICC Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan and India facing off in a highly anticipated match on February 23 in Dubai, amidst a backdrop of controversy surrounding the tournament's hosting and a legendary rivalry between the two teams.

The match holds extra significance this time due to the initial plans for the tournament to be held in Pakistan, which were scrapped after the BCCI refused to send the Indian team, leading to a hybrid format with India playing in Dubai. Pakistan fans are upset that they won't get to see an India-Pakistan match in their own country, and are urging their players to keep their friendship with Indian players aside during the match.

Pakistan's former PCB chairman and ICC president, Ehsan Mani, reflects on the 1996 World Cup, which was the last major international cricket tournament hosted by Pakistan. He notes that the tournament was a success, despite security concerns, and credits the constructive relationship between Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka for its success. Aaqib Javed, Pakistan's current coach, also reminisces about the 1996 World Cup, highlighting the team's strong start and the impact of Wasim Akram's absence in the India match.

The ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 will be broadcast globally through ICC's Broadcast and Audio partners, with comprehensive coverage available on various platforms, including ICC.tv, JioHotstar, Star Sports, Sky Sports, WillowTV, and ESPN Caribbean. Fans in Pakistan can watch the matches on PTV and Ten Sports, while those in UAE and MENA can watch on CricLife Max and CricLife Max2.

As the tournament approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India, which is expected to be a highlight of the tournament. With both teams looking to prove their supremacy, the match is set to be an exciting and closely contested encounter.