ICC satisfied with Pakistan’s Champions Trophy preparations

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed its satisfaction with Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, following a detailed progress report presented by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi.

The tournament, set to be held from February 19 to March 9, 2025, will take place across Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The PCB has committed Rs12.80 billion to upgrade the selected venues — Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium — to meet international standards.

The renovations include improvements to stadium infrastructure, training facilities, and security measures, with a five-member ICC delegation recently visiting Pakistan to inspect the preparations. The delegation also met hotel management teams to discuss accommodation plans for participating teams.

While the ICC’s positive feedback marks a significant step forward, a key challenge remains over India’s participation. Political tensions between Pakistan and India have raised uncertainties about whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will send its team to Pakistan. This issue has escalated, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief, Richard Gould, emphasising that the tournament “can’t go ahead without India,” given the significant financial and viewership impact India’s participation brings.

The PCB has proposed a plan for daily travel between Lahore and Chandigarh or Delhi to facilitate India’s participation, but the BCCI has so far shown no interest in this option. As the tournament approaches, securing India’s involvement remains a critical factor in ensuring the success of the event. Despite the challenges, the ICC’s thumbs-up to Pakistan’s preparations is a milestone as the country looks to host its first major ICC event since 1996.