PCB's Incompetency Leads To First Washout Of CT 2025, AUS vs SA Called Off Due To Substandard Infrastructure In Rawalpindi

The Champions Trophy 2025 clash between South Africa and Australia has been called off due to persistent rain in Rawalpindi. This was supposed to be the first meeting of both teams in the Champions Trophy.

South Africa vs Australia Called Off Due To Persistent Rain

Rain played a spoilsport for the first time in Champions Trophy 2025 and both teams now share one point which means the match between England and Afghanistan can be considered as a knockout. Both these teams are yet to register a point in the tournament and are on the verge of crashing out of Champions Trophy 2025.

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Ahead of the tournament, Pakistan allocated a huge budget for the renovation of three Champions Trophy venues in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore respectively. New floodlights were installed alongside upgraded hospitality boxes, new seating arrangements and larger scoreboards.

PCB Failed To Ensure Smooth Operations In Champions Trophy

Despite PCB's efforts, the Champions Trophy hasn't been conducted smoothly and the washed-out game between Australia and South Africa speaks volumes about their readiness. Visuals showed that the ground staff at the Rawalpindi stadium couldn't even cover the entire ground during the persistent rain and only the pitch and its alongside area were wrapped up with covers. The drainage system of Rawalpindi has been the subject of criticism in the past and it seems even after the renovation the condition hasn't improved and it prompted the match officials to call off the game earlier than the scheduled time frame.

Also Read: 'ICC Money Utilised Wisely?': Md. Kaif Lambasts PCB, Questions Pakistan's Integrity On Below Par Cover And Drainage Facility

To make matters worse, a spectator invaded the pitch during the game between New Zealand and Bangladesh on Monday and the match had to be halted for a brief period. This is the first time in 29 years that such a big tournament is being hosted on Pakistani soil. They last co-hosted the 1996 ODI World Cup with Pakistan knocked out of the Champions Trophy, the onus will be on PCB to ensure no further incident interrupts the tournament. Pakistan are scheduled to host Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.