Countdown begins for Over 40s World Cup

KARACHI: The countdown has officially begun for a landmark event in senior cricket history, said Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), as he launched the six-month buildup to the IMC Over 40s Cricket World Cup 2025.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Karachi from December 1 to 13 and will feature the electrifying T20 format for the first time. According to Fawad Ijaz Khan, sixteen nations have initially confirmed their participation: Pakistan, India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, UAE, USA, Canada, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Nepal, England, Wales and Hong Kong.

Final responses are still awaited from England, Wales while India’s participation depends in getting their NOC to travel to Pakistan from their government “We’re proud to host the IMC Over 40s World Cup on Pakistani soil and in the shortest and most thrilling version of the game,” Khan stated.

“This isn’t just about cricket; it’s about honouring the legacy of the game and the legends who gave their best years to it. The T20 format brings a whole new dimension of excitement, and Karachi is ready to welcome the world.” “The groundwork for a world-class event is already well underway,” Fawad elaborated. “We’ve been holding extensive planning sessions with security, logistics, and hospitality partners.

I’m pleased to share that all arrangements, including five-star accommodations and elite security protocols, are being handled with top-tier precision.” The PVCA chief highlighted that Pakistan’s successful hosting of the 2023 Over 40s Global Cup served as a powerful benchmark.

“That event proved the passion is still alive from players and fans alike. Now, with the T20 format, we’re pushing the boundaries even further. This is going to be a fast-paced celebration of talent and legacy.”

He also hinted at the high-profile nature of the players expected at the event. “In 2023, we saw greats like Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Sami, and Hasan Raza prove they still had fire in them.

This year, we’re expecting even more names, household legends like Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and Kamran Akmal. As cricket lover’s countdown to December, theIMC Over 40s Cricket World Cup 2025 is shaping up to be a tournament where nostalgia meets competition and legacy meets modern flair.”

Pakistan has an outstanding record in veterans’ cricket, having won championships across all three levels: Pakistan Over 60s team won the inaugural Over 60s World Cup in Brisbane, Australia (September 2022); Pakistan Over 40s team secured victory in the Over 40s Cricket Global Cup in Karachi (September 2023); and Pakistan Over 50s team, currently the top-ranked team in the world, recently won the Over 50s World Cup in Colombo (February 2025).