President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Asefa Bhutto-Zardari attend the opening match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking the return of the prestigious tournament in Pakistan.
The first match in the competition presents the host nation and the former Pakistan champions to face New Zealand at the Karachi National Bank stadium.
Pakistan won the draw and chose to play first, seeking to capitalize on favorable conditions.
The event marks an important moment for Pakistan, which welcomes the Champions trophy for the first time since its creation.
This year’s tournament see eight teams compete on three sites in Pakistan – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi – as well as in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from February 19 to March 9.
It is the first time since the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup that Pakistan has organized a CPI event, with the final of this tournament at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.
Before the Champions Trophy, the three Pakistani places – the Gaddafi stadium, the National Stadium and the Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi – underwent in -depth upgrades, offering world class installations for players and spectators.
The tournament presents eight teams divided into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and New Zealand, while group B includes Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa.
After their first match against New Zealand, Pakistan will face India on February 23 in Dubai and Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi.
The group phase will see matches played in the four sites: Dubai, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. The first semi-final will take place on March 4 in Dubai, with the second semi-final scheduled for March 5 at the Gaddafi stadium. If India does not qualify for the final, it will be held in Lahore; Otherwise, the final will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
In addition to their victory in 2017, Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy three times: in 2000, 2004 and 2009.
More than 12,000 cops deployed for the Champions Trophy
Punjab police spokesman said more than 12,000 police and staff will be deployed for security tasks in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The security team will include 18 senior officers, 54 DSP, 135 inspectors and 1,200 superior subordinates, as well as 10,556 police officers and more than 200 women’s women.
In Lahore, more than 8,000 officers and staff will be assigned to guarantee the matches. This includes 12 senior officers, 39 DSP, 86 inspectors and 700 superior subordinates, while 6,673 police officers and 129 women women will exercise security and verification tasks.
In Rawalpindi, more than 5,000 officers and staff will be in service.
The security force will include six senior officers, 15 DSPs, 50 inspectors, 500 superior subordinates, 4,000 police officers and more than 100 women.
Traffic plan for Karachi matches
According to the Deputy Inspector General, traffic, Sir Shah Suleman Road will remain open during match days, although several roads are closed to intense traffic.
Traffic plan issued by the Karahi traffic police. – Facebook @ karachitrafficpoliceofical
Special parking arrangements have been taken for spectators.
The parking areas will be available at the National Coaching Center, the Center Expo and China Ground. Fans arriving from Karsaz will be directed to these parking areas via the overflight road.
Heavy vehicles will be allowed to travel from Sohrab Goth to Nipa, Liaquatabad no 10 to Hassan Square and PP Chowrangi at University Road. However, access will be limited from Karsaz to the stadium, the millennium to the new city and the stadium signal in Hassan Square.
The traffic authorities advise spectators to avoid park on the roads or service roads, urging them to use only the designated car parks. VIP vehicles and those with special pass will be allowed to park in the stadium.
Public access to the stadium will be via the main doors and doors n ° 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14, with VIP vehicles entering through door 8. Vehicles equipped with GNC cylinders will not be authorized at the ‘interior of the stadium.
The doors will open three hours before the start of the match, while the surrounding roads will remain open for general traffic.
Pakistan’s Squad for Champions Trophy
Mohammad Rizwan (captain and ticket office), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha (Vice-Capitaine), Saud Shakeel, Shah Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, and Usman Khan.
