Pakistan is set to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and preparations for the tournament reportedly began months ago with the reconstruction of major stadiums. On February 13, the grand opening ceremony took place at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
While many were excited about the hosting of a major cricket event in Pakistan after several years, it seems the enthusiasm got out of hand. Videos from the event have been going viral！but not for the right reasons.
The opening ceremony officially began at 7 PM, marking the countdown to the tournament. However, a viral video circulating on social media showed fans climbing over stadium walls and fences to gain access to the ceremony. Reports indicate that the breach occurred in the VIP section.?
This led to widespread "second-hand embarrassment" among both Pakistani and international viewers. Many users on X (formerly known as Twitter) reacted to the video, calling the incident shameful.
One user wrote, "Do Pakistanis have any shame, or did they mix it and drink it?"
Another commented, "I hope other participating teams are watching this. The Champions Trophy should have been completely moved out of Pakistan."
A third user joked, "Clearly, this is an innovative approach to reducing wait times. Why wait in line when you can just climb over each other?"
Another added, "This raises serious security concerns that India has been highlighting for some time now."
The tournament will begin on February 19, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opening match. Matches will be played across Pakistan and the UAE, with India set to play its games in Dubai, starting with a match against Bangladesh on February 20.?
The arch-rivals India and Pakistan will lock horns on February 23, Sunday from 2:30 PM IST at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The excitement for this game has already reached it's peak with tickets getting sold out within minutes of it being available.?
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