![Pakistan team ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @ICC, @rajatahir27/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1739803451617_pakistan.jpg?type=mq)
Pakistan team ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @ICC, @rajatahir27/x]
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is fast approaching and the elite eight-team event is about to rekindle Pakistan’s love affair with the sport, at least as per former Pakistan captains and legendary cricketers Inzamam-ul-Haq and Misbah-ul-Haq. Inzamam, in particular, even recalled how a terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team back in 2009 deprived Pakistan fans of mainstream international cricket for nearly a decade.
The 2025 Champions Trophy is set to launch on February 19, and it marks the first-ever ICC event to be hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 ODI World Cup.
Inzamam, Misbah say CT will rekindle Pakistan’s love
Mere days prior to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq claimed that every one in the country is excited for the tournament. Inzamam also added that Pakistan fans were “punished for 10 years” by not hosting international matches, following the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus.
He said:
“Right now, everyone is talking about the Champions Trophy, in schools, houses, markets, offices, everywhere. The events of 2009 feel like a bad dream. We were punished for 10 years. Our cricket went backwards.”
Misbah-ul-Haq, who led the Pakistan team for a major part during its hiatus of home international cricket, said that the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be a “big deal” for young fans and aspiring cricketers in the country.
“For fans and young cricketers to see the stars playing live is a big deal. Not having that meant the whole cricket machinery was jammed.”
While the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was slated to be hosted in its entirety by Pakistan, the Indian cricket team’s refusal to travel to the country prompted the PCB and the ICC to enforce a hybrid model.
India’s share of matches, including the knockouts if the ‘Men in Blue’ go past the opening round, will be played at the Dubai International Stadium.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will launch on February 19 with a Group A match between New Zealand and Pakistan in Karachi.
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