 "PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in a screenshot. Image: X/PCB")
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have denied media reports that stated that the dates for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy might be rescheduled. Pakistan are set to host the eight-team tournament next year and the PCB have already sent a draft schedule of the event to the International Cricket Council (ICC), suggesting that the tournament be held between 19 February and 9 March.
This comes in the aftermath of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s statements which were misquoted. Naqvi, during a recent visit to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, had said that the PCB hoped to complete the renovation work of the three main stadiums (Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi) completed before the Champions Trophy.
The PCB had launched a renovation process in the three stadiums in a bid to improve facilities for he spectators ahead of the Champions Trophy.
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“It is disappointing that certain media outlets have misrepresented PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi’s comments from yesterday’s media interaction, misleadingly quoting him on the potential change of dates for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to security concerns, thus creating unnecessary sensationalism,” the PCB said n their statement.
“During the media talk, which is available on the PCB’s official YouTube channel, the PCB Chair clearly stated that the redevelopment and redesign of the three designated stadia would be completed on schedule, ensuring readiness to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
“The PCB Chair also mentioned that while some domestic matches may need to be shifted to facilitate uninterrupted construction work, this in no way pertains to the ICC Champions Trophy, which remains a priority for the PCB as a premier eight-team international event.
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More Shorts“In line with this commitment, the PCB has already submitted a draft schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC), with the proposed dates spanning from 19 February to 9 March 2025,” added the PCB.
On Monday, Naqvi had commented that the three stadiums —Gaddi Stadium in Lahore, Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi and the National Stadium in Karachi, were yet to meet “international standards”. Naqvi had also spoken on the intention to build a hotel to make it easily accessible to teams. However, he remained doubtful if the project would be completed before the Champions Trophy.
According to news agency PTI, the PCB had allocated 17 billion Pakistan rupees (PKR) to renovate the three major cricket stadiums. It was, however, the PCB’s decision to renovate certain parts of the stadiums, and not the ICC’s. As per a report in Dawn, a delegation from the ICC had visited the venues in Pakistan and declared them fit to host the matches.
It is still not clear if the Champions Trophy would completely take place in Pakistan, owing to India’s refusal to travel to the country. The 2023 Asia Cup was held in a hybrid model, with some matches in Pakistan, and some others, including India’s, in Sri Lanka.