Updated 13:02 IST, January 30th 2025
PCB Makes Another Tall Claim Regarding Unfinished Stadiums, Pakistan Lures The ICC With Another Champions Trophy 2025 Promise
The 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy begins on February 19, 2025. Pakistan will face New Zealand in the first match of the much-awaited cricketing event

The fate of the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy has been hanging in the balance eversince the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded the hosting rights of the marquee event to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Pakistan created a huge fuss about India demanding a 'Hybrid Model' for the Champions Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had remained firm in its stance of not sending the Indian Team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Pakistan did try their very best to avoid questions on the security issues in their country, but kept on demanding for the ICC Champions Trophy to be played in their backyard.
Clueless PCB Makes Another Tall Claim
Amid rising concerns over the readiness of Champions Trophy venues in the country, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that the iconic Gaddafi Stadium here would be handed over to the ICC on February 11, little over a week before the start of the ODI showpiece. A Pakistan Cricket Board source told PTI that the stadium will be handed over to the International Cricket Council (ICC), "for branding and other stuff on February 11" after Pakistan's tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.
The ICC had set January 31 as the deadline for the handover of all three stadiums Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore), National Stadium (Karachi) and the Rawalpindi Stadium -- which will host the global event in Pakistan. The source added that "final touches" were being given to the Gaddafi Stadium.
"This has been a construction site and there will be some rubble, which will be removed shortly. This stadium has taken shape after six months of work," said the source. The eight-team Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan but India will play all its matches in Dubai owing to security concerns.
PCB's Race Against Time
Pakistan's leading english daily 'Dawn' had recently carried a story which stated that "it seems absolutely impossible to contemplate the renovation work being completed within the deadline, but the personnel handed the responsibility are beaming with confidence." The PCB has also insisted that the National Stadium in Karachi will be ready in time as well. The venue will host the opening match of event between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19. The PCB has spent around PKR 12 billion on renovation, construction and installation of equipment at all three venues.
Tickets have already gone on sale but until the PCB announces they have possession of the new-look stadiums, concerns will remain.
(With PTI Inputs)
Published 13:02 IST, January 30th 2025