The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given an update on the preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy as it finds itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Recent reports state that the preparations for the marquee event in Pakistan are far from ideal, leaving the International Cricket Council (ICC) worried.
The ICC faced a similar situation last year during the T20 World Cup in the USA. The governing body had to face an infrastructural mess in the USA and could find itself in a similar spot ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy as well.
The renovation work across the three stadiums in Pakistan – National Stadium in Karachi, Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore, and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – was due to finish by December 31.
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However, the work is nowhere near completion and the PCB is now in a race against time to hand over the venues to the ICC by February 12. A report in the Times of India has stated that an ICC team will leave for Pakistan towards the end of this week to do a status check.
At the same time, the governing body has also started discussing the contingency plan in case PCB fails to complete the work in time. In that case, the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could be moved to the UAE.
PCB provides an update on preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy:
With the ICC reportedly unhappy over the pace at which the renovation work is going on in the stadium, the PCB has delivered an update. In a statement, the board said that the preparations are in full swing and all three stadiums are nearing completion to host tournament matches.
The board also stated that all upgrade work was progressing on schedule and would be completed before or around the set deadlines. In the same statement, the PCB also confirmed that the ODI tri-series featuring New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa has been shifted to Karachi and and Lahore. The series was originally scheduled to be held in Multan.
“This decision reflects the PCB’s confidence in the readiness of these upgraded venues and their ability to deliver a world-class experience for players, officials, and fans alike. Further details regarding the series will be shared in due course,” stated the PCB.
PCB’s update on each stadium:
For Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore:
- Spectator capacity increased to 35,000 with new chairs installed throughout the venue.
- 480 state-of-the-art LED lights installed.
- Two giant digital replay screens to be installed next week.
- Stadium set to be inaugurated in the last week of January.
- Brand-new players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure created which will be operational by 25 January.
For National Stadium in Karachi:
- Creation of a new players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure at the University End.
- 350 LED lights installed
- Two digital replay screens fixed.
- 5,000 new chairs installed.
For Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium:
- Stadium undergoing minor touch-ups.
- Focus on the installation of 10,000 new chairs, upgrades to hospitality boxes and the installation of two digital replay screens.
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