The ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a dream project for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the entire nation, but they failed to meet the expectations both on and off the field. While the Pakistan National Cricket Team made a first-round exit, their so-hyped renovated stadiums were just a disaster.
Pakistan was hosting the ICC tournament after more than three decades, but the PCB let themselves be just embarrassed with their work. They spend millions on the renovation of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
PCB’s renovated Gaddafi Stadium turns into a nightmare
The new floodlights, hospitality boxes, electronic scoreboards, and LED towers have been installed in these stadiums. But the viral videos on social media have completely put the PCB to shame. From poor security at the stadiums to a poor drainage system and poor facilities inside the stadium, everything just turned out embarrassing for the whole of Pakistan.
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Currently, a video is going viral on social media, which has brutally exposed the so-called “newly renovated” Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The much-hyped upgrades turned out to be nothing more than a façade, as water leaked from all over the stadium after just a single spell of rain.
In the viral video, the heavy water can be seen dripping in the washroom area. The entire facility looked completely a mess with the water leaking even from the pop. After the video went viral on the internet, Pakistani fans have been slamming the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi ruthlessly.
Watch the viral video here:
لاہور کا قذافی اسٹیڈیم ایک ہی بارش میں ٹپک پڑا۔۔۔!!! pic.twitter.com/MuIcB6oxDZ
— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) March 1, 2025
Earlier, the crucial group match between Afghanistan and Australia in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 had to be abandoned due to waterlogging at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. A brief 30-minute spell of rain during Australia’s chase exposed the stadium’s poor drainage system.
Despite the ground staff’s continuous efforts—including the use of mops and sponges—the surface remained too wet, forcing the umpires to call off the game after more than an hour of waiting. The poor drainage left players and fans frustrated as both teams had to share the points.
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Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a full ticket refund for fans affected by the cancellation of two ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The matches—Australia vs. South Africa on February 25 and Bangladesh vs. Pakistan on February 27—were both abandoned without a ball being bowled due to bad weather.
According to the PCB’s Ticket Refund Policy for the tournament, fans can get a full refund if:
1. The match was called off before the toss.
2. They purchased tickets for any enclosure (general stands).
However, hospitality ticket holders, including those in private boxes and the PCB gallery, will not be eligible for refunds. Fans can claim their refunds at designated TCS outlets from March 10-14. Late claims will not be accepted. The PCB urged the fans to follow the rules to avoid any inconvenience.
To get a refund, ticket holders must:
1. Present the original, undamaged ticket as proof of purchase.
2. Personally visit the designated TCS outlet, as refunds cannot be collected on someone else’s behalf.