The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put forth Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as potential venues for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking a significant step towards hosting the prestigious cricket tournament in the country after nearly three decades.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB recently shared an initial draft schedule of the tournament with the International Cricket Council (ICC), suggesting the three cities as potential hosts for the eight-team event scheduled for next year.
Pakistan, the reigning champions of the ICC Champions Trophy following their victory in the 2017 edition held in England, is set to host the tournament in 2025, as awarded by the ICC in the new rights cycle (2023-2027). If finalized, this would be the first ICC event to be held in Pakistan in nearly 30 years.
The proposed venues of Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi were included in the initial draft schedule sent by the PCB to the ICC, with plans for the tournament to span over two weeks, though exact dates are yet to be confirmed.
Confirming the development during a news conference in Lahore, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated, “The ICC’s security team came and we had a very good meeting. They looked at arrangements here and we’ll also share stadium upgrade plans with them. We’re continuously in touch with the ICC. We are trying to ensure we host a very good tournament in Pakistan.”
However, challenges lie ahead, particularly regarding the participation of India in the tournament due to political tensions between the two nations. While India and Pakistan have historically met on the cricket field only during ICC tournaments and at neutral venues, uncertainties remain regarding India’s potential tour to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Additionally, upgrading existing stadiums to meet international standards poses a significant task for Pakistan. Naqvi emphasized the need to enhance facilities at stadiums, highlighting plans to finalize bids from international companies to assist in stadium design upgrades.
“We need to do these upgrades in four-five months. It will be a very tough test but we can do it,” Naqvi said, emphasizing the PCB’s commitment to ensuring a successful tournament.
As preparations continue and plans take shape, Pakistan remains hopeful of hosting a memorable ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, showcasing its passion for cricket and reinforcing its status as a cricketing powerhouse on the global stage.
