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Did hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 backfire on Pakistan?
Was hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 worth it for Pakistan?
After a wait of over 28 years, Pakistan finally hosted an ICC event. It was a long road back, marked by the exile of international cricket from the country.
Cricket in Pakistan was disrupted in 2009 when the Sri Lankan team was attacked. It wasn't until 2015 that international cricket slowly returned, with Zimbabwe being the first team to tour. Since then, Pakistan has hosted almost every major international side—except India. However, ongoing security concerns meant we never got the chance to host a marquee tournament at home.
That changed in 2025 when Pakistan hosted the ICC Champions Trophy.
Every major team, except India, toured. The tournament went ahead smoothly, and most importantly, there were no security incidents. But was it worth it?
Why It Was Worth It:
- The world saw that Pakistan is fully capable of hosting major international events with airtight security.
- India was exposed as being the only team unwilling to tour, making them look like bullies.
- The tournament led to much-needed upgrades in our stadiums.
- There was no unnecessary drama—everything ran as planned.
Why It Wasn't Worth It:
- Pakistan’s dismal on-field performance may have turned an entire generation of fans away from cricket.
- It reinforced the idea that India can dictate terms, making us look weak.
- The low turnout at stadiums raised questions about our passion for the game.
- The event caused massive headaches for residents of Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi due to traffic congestion and road closures.
So, was there more harm than good? Were you happy the way things turned out?
To me, it was worth it, mainly because it has led to the removal of Riz-Bar in T20 cricket
