The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi as venues in the “initial draft schedule” of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy slated to be played in February next year, ESPN Cricinfo reported a day earlier.
The eight-team tournament is anticipated to span over two weeks, although the exact dates have not been confirmed yet. The PCB settled on the venues and the schedule following a visit from an ICC team to conduct inspections.
Contrary to the media speculations that India won't travel to Pakistan for the mega event next year, the publication, quoting the initial draft, stated that the Men in Blue would play its matches in Pakistan.
Typically, after the host board submits the draft schedule, it goes through several revisions conducted by different teams within the ICC. The revised schedule is shared with the broadcaster and other boards for review before finalisation.
The next official ICC meeting is the global body's annual conference in July.
"We've sent the schedule for the matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore earlier today.
"The ICC's security team came and we had a very good meeting. They looked at arrangements here and we'll also share stadium upgrade plans with them. We're continuously in touch with the ICC. We are trying to ensure we host a very good tournament in Pakistan."
Naqvi admitted that the stadium renovation project has seen some delays but the work is going on smoothly and they will try to get it done in four to five months.
“The stadium upgrading work is going on rapidly. Yes, there have been some delays but we are determined to get it done as soon as possible,” Naqvi said. “We have a three-member committee that is exclusively working on that. There is a director infrastructure, director international cricket and the remaining is director domestic cricket.”
He also added that international companies will visit Pakistan on May 7 after which they will contact local consultants to finalise the designs of the stadium ahead of the mega event.
“On May 7, we have an international bid where top international companies who have expertise in upgrading stadiums will visit us. They will help us in designing and then we will collaborate with local consultants and try to get it done within four to five months,” he added.
This event will mark the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year hiatus, with its last occurrence in 2017, when Pakistan emerged victorious by defeating India in the final.
The teams confirmed for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy include Pakistan (hosts), India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England, and Bangladesh.