- Foreign cricket teams get warm welcome in Pakistan: Tarar
- Champions Cup says to help promote culture and tourism in Pakistan.
- He urges spectators to show their passion for cricket.
RAWALPINDI: Information Minister Ataullah Tarar on Wednesday announced that Pakistan will relax visa policy for cricket fans across the world during the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the T20 Champions Trophy, Tarar said: “The visa policy will be relaxed for cricket fans across the world during the ICC Champions Trophy.”
His remarks came a day after the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the official fixtures and kits for the much-awaited global cricket event, which will begin on February 19, 2025 in Karachi.
The cricket body announced that the eight-team tournament will include 15 matches and will be held across Pakistan and Dubai, adding that all matches will be day and night encounters.
The Information Minister also praised the performance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), saying, “PCB is fulfilling its responsibilities in the best way.”
Referring to India’s refusal to visit Pakistan to attend this mega event, the minister said: “Sports should be kept away from politics.”
There will be two places in the 2025 Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan as India will play all their matches in the UAE, under the ‘hybrid model’ proposed by the PCB as the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry refused to send its team to the neighboring country.
The minister said that the majority of the tournament matches will be held in Pakistan, which will help promote culture and tourism in Pakistan.
He said that foreign cricket teams would receive a warm welcome in Pakistan.
Replying to a question, Tarar said Virender Sehwag, among other Indian cricketers, who were part of the 2005 team, praised the Pakistani pacer.
The Information Minister urged Pakistani viewers to come and show their passion for cricket by welcoming the visiting teams and supporting their favorite team and players. He expressed his hope that the Pakistani team would put up a great show in their game.
In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi will be the three cities that will host the tournament. Each Pakistani stadium will feature three group stage matches, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.
Lahore will also host the final on March 9, unless India qualifies, in which case the final will be held in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and final will have reserve days.
The three group matches that include India, as well as the first semi-final, will be held in Dubai.
Pakistan will face New Zealand in their opening Group A match in Karachi on February 19. The Dubai match begins the next day with India facing Bangladesh.
Group B matches will begin on February 21, with Afghanistan taking on the Proteas in Karachi.
A big weekend then begins as rivals England and Australia are scheduled to face off in Lahore on Saturday (February 22), with the highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash scheduled for the following day.
Groups
Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
Group B: South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England
Champions Cup schedule
February 19, Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi
February 20, Bangladesh vs. India, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
February 21: Afghanistan vs. South Africa, Karachi
February 22, Australia vs. England, Lahore
February 23, Pakistan vs India, Dubai
February 24, Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi
February 25, Australia vs. South Africa, Rawalpindi
February 26: Afghanistan vs. England, Lahore
February 27, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
February 28, Afghanistan vs. Australia, Lahore
March 1: South Africa vs. England, Karachi
March 2, New Zealand vs. India, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
March 4, Semi-Final 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
March 5, Semi-Final 2, Lahore
March 9, Final, Lahore (unless India qualifies, the match will be played in Dubai).
March 10, Reserve Day