'It is disappointing': PCB slams reports of possible rescheduling of 2025 ICC Champions Trophy

Aug. 20, 2024, 5:39 p.m.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has refuted media reports suggesting a possible reschedule of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan is slated to host the eight-team tournament next year, and the PCB has already submitted a draft schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC), proposing a tournament window from February 19th to March 9th.

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.

Advertisement The PCB has initiated renovations at three stadiums with the goal of enhancing facilities for spectators in preparation for the Champions Trophy.

Also read | Pakistan’s international cricket home season an acid test for PCB ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

“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 briefing, which is available on the PCB's official YouTube channel, the PCB Chair explicitly stated that the redevelopment and modernization of the three designated stadiums would be completed as planned, ensuring they are ready 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.

“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.

Advertisement 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.

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