The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fired back at concerns raised over stadium preparations for the hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy, stating that its decision to relocate an upcoming one-day international (ODI) series to two of the venues in question reflects its faith in the work being carried out.
The PCB’s venues for the Champions Trophy are National Bank Stadium in Karachi, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. All three have been undergoing upgrades for the tournament, but the PCB’s release of a video on Monday (pictured) of chairman Mohsin Naqvi conducting an inspection visit of Gaddafi Stadium had raised questions over the levels of preparedness ahead of a January 25 delivery deadline.
The PCB today countered media reports by announcing that preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025 were “in full swing”, with Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium nearing completion to host tournament matches. It added that work was “progressing on schedule and will be completed before or around the set deadlines”.
Indeed, given what it claims is the advanced stage of preparations at Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium, the PCB has decided to relocate the tri-nation ODI series between Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa to these two venues. The series, running from February 8, was originally scheduled to be held in Multan.
The PCB said: “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.”
In August, the PCB appointed BDP Pattern to improve infrastructure at Gaddafi Stadium, as well as National Bank Stadium and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, providing further updates on the former in October.
The spectator capacity at Gaddafi Stadium has been increased to 35,000, with new seats installed throughout the venue. Additionally, 480 state-of-the-art LED lights have been installed to enhance broadcast LUX levels. To further elevate the spectator experience, two giant digital replay screens – measuring 80 feet x 30 feet and 22 feet x 35 feet – will be installed next week. The stadium is set to be inaugurated in the last week of January.
A brand-new players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure has also been created, which the PCB today states will be operational by January 25, adding “the iconic stadium is set to provide an unparalleled experience for all stakeholders”.
At the National Bank Stadium, significant enhancements have been made, including the creation of a new players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure at the University End. To improve broadcast coverage, 350 LED lights have been installed. Two digital replay screens have already been fixed, and 5,000 new seats have been installed.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is undergoing minor touch-ups, focusing on the installation of 10,000 new seats, upgrades to hospitality boxes and the installation of two digital replay screens. These improvements are designed to ensure the stadium exceeds international standards for upcoming events.
The PCB added: “To prioritise these efforts, no competitive cricket has been played in Lahore and Karachi since the commencement of the upgrades, while Rawalpindi last hosted a match late last year.
“The PCB is fully committed to ensuring that all venues are ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and other international matches. With over 250 workers labouring day and night to meet the 25 January deadline, the PCB is confident that the upgrades will elevate the fan experience and uphold Pakistan’s reputation as a premier cricketing destination.”
The International Cricket Council awarded the Champions Trophy hosting rights in November 2021, with Pakistan landing its first major ICC tournament since 1996. The landmark event was due to take place from February 19 to March 9 across Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, only for these plans to be revised last month.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision that it would not compete in a Champions Trophy staged in Pakistan, amid the historically fraught relations between the two countries, has necessitated the introduction of a hybrid event model, as used during the 2023 Asia Cup, allowing Pakistan to continue as host, but with India’s games staged outside the country.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium was last month confirmed as an additional venue and it will host all of India’s games, including the showpiece group stage game between the two nations, and potentially a semi-final and the final itself, should India progress that far.
