The International Cricket Council (ICC) is in a spot of bother ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per the reports in the Times of India, it is learned that the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) inability to complete construction work at venues has put the body under the scanner.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is around the corner and the fixtures of the tournament have been released. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to complete the renovations across three stadiums in Pakistan where the tournament will be played.
ICC has given time till 12th February to the Pakistan Cricket Board to complete the renovations of stadiums for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The construction work at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi are in the race against time. As per the reports, the ICC has given time till 12th February to the Pakistan Cricket Board to complete the renovations, but with the way things are going, there isn’t any positive development.
Pakistan Cricket Board started the renovations in August and was due to complete the work by 31st December. However, they are nowhere close to it. This has left ICC worried, especially with them facing a lot of criticism over the infrastructure of venues during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
All three stadiums are far from ready, and it’s not renovation or refurbishment, but proper construction, which is underway – ICC source
An ICC source expressed his disappointment with PCB not completing renovations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, saying that three stadiums are far from ready. He pointed out the work left and while speaking to the Times of India, he explained:
“It is a very disappointing picture. All three stadiums are far from ready, and it’s not renovation or refurbishment, but proper construction, which is underway. There is so much work left with seats, floodlights, facilities and even the outfield and playing surfaces,”.
“The weather is not ideal for construction and finishing work to happen at a rapid pace. At Gadaffi, even the plaster work isn’t completed yet. And most of the time is taken by finishing work because we are talking about dressing rooms etc. They just can’t be random rooms/enclosures for an ICC event. ICC has a checklist that needs to be met. National Stadium has decided to not completely finish the new enclosure because there is no time.”
Tournament can’t be played at semi-ready venues – ICC source
The ICC source further added that if the PCB misses deadlines and venues don’t meet the ICC checklist, then the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be moved out of Pakistan. He said that clarity related to the venues will be given next week. He added:
“It’s a no-brainer on what would happen if PCB misses deadlines and venues don’t meet ICC checklist. Tournament can’t be played at semi-ready venues. The next week will give more clarity on the future but PCB and ICC together need to pull off a miracle.”
It is also learned that ICC officials will be visiting Pakistan by the end of January to do a status check for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and informal contingency discussions are underway in Dubai corridors.
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