Pakistan in PANIC mode ahead of Champions Trophy 2025, shift ODI tri-series to new venue, brace for strict ICC action
Pakistan are preparing to host their first ICC tournament after a gap of 29 years. The last time that India’s neighbours Pakistan hosted an ICC event was back in 1996 – the ODI World Cup, with the final taking place in Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The long wait is supposed to end in 2025 with ICC Champions Trophy being hosted by Pakistan. All matches, apart from India games and one semifinal and final (if India qualify), are supposed to take place in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore in this tournament.
But all is not well in the lead up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With just over a month to go for the tournament to get underway on February 19, the venues for the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan are far from being ready.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday that the upcoming ODI tri-series, featuring South Africa and New Zealand alongside Pakistan, will be relocated from Multan to Karachi and Lahore. The PCB dismissed speculations that delays in renovation work at the original venues caused the change.
Condition of Pakistan cricket stadiums:
Less than a month left for Champions Trophy and nothing’s even 50% ready.
AFG, AUS, SA & ENG will play their matches here, so good luck to their fans, players and journalists. pic.twitter.com/p6ZynuAajI
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) January 8, 2025
The tri-series serves as a prelude to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which kicks off on February 19 in Karachi. According to the PCB, preparations for the tournament are progressing on schedule, with renovation work at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Bank Stadium in Karachi expected to be completed by their respective deadlines.
“Given the advanced stage of preparations at Gaddafi Stadium and the National Bank Stadium, the PCB has decided to move the upcoming tri-nation ODI series to these two venues,” the PCB stated.
The series, originally slated to take place in Multan, reflects the PCB’s confidence in the readiness of these upgraded facilities to provide a world-class experience for players, officials, and fans. The Gaddafi Stadium upgrades have increased its spectator capacity to 35,000, with the installation of new seating throughout. Additionally, 480 cutting-edge LED lights have been added to enhance broadcast quality, ensuring optimal viewing experiences for fans worldwide. A brand-new hospitality enclosure for players and officials has also been constructed. The revamped stadium is scheduled to be inaugurated in the last week of January.
Similarly, Karachi’s National Bank Stadium has undergone significant enhancements, including new hospitality enclosures, the installation of 350 LED lights for improved visibility, two digital replay screens, and 5,000 new chairs for spectators.
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has also received updates, including 10,000 new chairs, upgraded hospitality boxes, and the installation of two digital replay screens, ensuring it meets modern standards for hosting cricket events.