Did hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 backfire on Pakistan?

[Asad T]

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

 

[Kianig89]

Yes worth it, all Pakistan needs a strong performance team and they are ready for anything

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I think it was worth it but Mohsin Naqvi and team Pakistan spoiled the party. Ofcourse MN appeased BCCI and did a great disservice

 

[Rajdeep]

I think it was worth it but Mohsin Naqvi and team Pakistan spoiled the party. Ofcourse MN appeased BCCI and did a great disservice

You think if opposition party was in power with Imran Khan as PM and Ramiz Raja was chairman, PCB wouldnt have agreed to BCCIs demands?

 

[The Bald Eagle]

You think if opposition party was in power with Imran Khan as PM and Ramiz Raja was chairman, PCB wouldnt have agreed to BCCIs demands?

No, they won't

 

[charlie007]

No, they won't

They would, with a thank you note.
They are smart enough to know who has the control. We would still have the same arrangement. This wasn’t a choice.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

It was cursed to start with

 

[Bhaijaan]

The tournament resulted in death of cricket but it exposed Bharat as the villain in cricket in front of the world and resulting in all goodwill lost in matter of days. It was a diplomatic win for PCB.

 

[Devadwal]

30 minutes rain leaves Pakistan ground exposed .

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

No point in Pakistan hosting any ICC tournament as long as India is opposed to it.

 

[charlie007]

No point in Pakistan hosting any ICC tournament as long as India is opposed to it.

It’s still important for monetary perspective. You need the money to fund cricket at all levels in your country.

 

[Asad T]

And now, to top it off, the PCB looked extra weak, not having a delegation at the closing ceremony despite being 'hosts'

 

[DeadlyVenom]

In the subcontinent cricket is a big part of national identity and pride so we can get too emotional and lump things together that don't need to be lumped together.

In the case of this tournament, hosting, not playing well, India winning and the final being in UAE are all being lumped together rather than viewed in isolation.

The reality is

India winning - not in our control. They played well, we were awful.
Final being played in UAE - We knew this was a possibility at the time and agreed to it. It was a necessary evil and PCB tried the best they could given the odds stacked against them.
Team being awful - well we have been awful now for multiple ICC tournaments
Hosting - We successfully hosted a multi team environment in Pakistan, having 7 teams playing across the country.

in isolation - the hosting is the ONLY part of the tournament that went well for us.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

And now, to top it off, the PCB looked extra weak, not having a delegation at the closing ceremony despite being 'hosts'

Good, first time I've seen them display a backbone.

 

[Shehmir]

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

I think it was worth to host such a big event & hosted 6 international teams at a timeis a great achievement

 

[raj_milan]

The 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan was a mixed experience. On the one hand, it was a historic event that proved Pakistan's ability to host international tournaments , improved infrastructure, and a somewhat smooth organization. On the other hand, the team's poor performance, India's absence, low stadium attendance, and logistical issues highlighted that there is still work to be done in improving Pakistan's standing in world cricket.

 

[JaDed]

PCT official FB page is sharing Khushdil Shah vs Zim 2020 game , Rofl.

Not sure what the hell happened, has someone hacked the page?

 

[Ali T]

It’s still important for monetary perspective. You need the money to fund cricket at all levels in your country.

I wonder how much money Pakistan made from it.
In the past when hosting tournaments, due to high levels of security, my understanding is there wasn't much juice left.

 

[Shehmir]

The tournament resulted in death of cricket but it exposed Bharat as the villain in cricket in front of the world and resulting in all goodwill lost in matter of days. It was a diplomatic win for PCB.

But world agreed to this before the tournament then there is no point of raise issue now

 

[Bhaijaan]

At the end of the day it’s about having a winning team.

Imagine Bharat lost 7/9 matches in CWC 2023 and got knocked out of the tournament in like 7-10 days while Pakistan qualified for the finals with 8/10 wins. Would you then have said the same about Bharat hosting the tournament?

Fact is when you have a winning team, it earns pride for your nation wherever they play and when you don’t have a winning team and there’s so much passion involved you feel some bezti as in case of Pakistan this time around.

Pride and bezti are two sides of the same coin.

In 2017, Pakistan earned pride and Bharat got beizzati.

 

[Savak]

Worth it for sure, we had to break the ice in terms of hosting an ICC event in Pakistan after 30 years and seeing where we actually stand cricketing infrastructure and fan engagement wise.

Sadly we are deficient on both fronts. Pakistani fans dissapointted for the most part for non-neutral games. Absolutely zero excuse for the attendance for the England South Africa, South Africa New Zealand Semi Final to be poorly attended. PCB desperately needs to upgrade other stadiums in the country and take the game there.

 

[Savak]

At the end of the day it’s about having a winning team.

Imagine Bharat lost 7/9 matches in CWC 2023 and got knocked out of the tournament in like 7-10 days while Pakistan qualified for the finals with 8/10 wins. Would you then have said the same about Bharat hosting the tournament?

Fact is when you have a winning team, it earns pride for your nation wherever they play and when you don’t have a winning team and there’s so much passion involved you feel some bezti as in case of Pakistan this time around.

Pride and bezti are two sides of the same coin.

In 2017, Pakistan earned pride and Bharat got beizzati.

Tbh the craze for Cricket in India is immense. Indians will still turn out in big numbers for their teams, star players, Indians are very proud of their team, players and then there is the IPL connection as well.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Tbh the craze for Cricket in India is immense. Indians will still turn out in big numbers for their teams, star players, Indians are very proud of their team, players and then there is the IPL connection as well.

I have had this discussion with Dearlt bhai in the past. Our nationalism is a different level beast. Pakistani nationalism has died down a bit in the last few decades. Your military dictatorship has beaten down the very soul of your nation over the years

 

[Savak]

I have had this discussion with Dearlt bhai in the past. Our nationalism is a different level beast. Pakistani nationalism has died down a bit in the last few decades. Your military dictatorship has beaten down the very soul of your nation over the years

Lol how can a nation have any nationalism when its population is desperate to migrate outside the country? According to official stats, around 1 million Pakistani's left the country in 2023 & 2024.

 

[sweep_shot]

Lol how can a nation have any nationalism when its population is desperate to migrate outside the country? According to official stats, around 1 million Pakistani's left the country in 2023 & 2024.

Indians are also desperate to migrate out of the country. Many even do so illegally.

As per Pew Research, there are over 700,000 illegal Indians in USA alone --> https://www.pewresearch.org/short-r...out-unauthorized-immigrants-living-in-the-us/.

I don't think nationalism is the main issue. Australians aren't very nationalists and yet they have won 10 ICC trophies.

Main issue is a lack of good system.

 

[Major]

Poor peformance on field doesnt mean we shouldnt be hosting events.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Lol how can a nation have any nationalism when its population is desperate to migrate outside the country? According to official stats, around 1 million Pakistani's left the country in 2023 & 2024.

People are leaving from our country too and a lot of the overseas fans are the biggest cricket supporters in our countries.

 

[JaDed]

Indians are also desperate to migrate out of the country. Many even do so illegally.

As per Pew Research, there are over 700,000 illegal Indians in USA alone --> https://www.pewresearch.org/short-r...out-unauthorized-immigrants-living-in-the-us/.

I don't think nationalism is the main issue. Australians aren't very nationalists and yet they have won 10 ICC trophies.

Main issue is a lack of good system.

Australians are extremely nationalistic, infact they are one of the most nationalistic countries after world war.

 

[sweep_shot]

Poor peformance on field doesnt mean we shouldnt be hosting events.

Correct.

All established cricket nations should get to host ICC events regardless of performance.

 

[chakdeindian]

Backfire is a modest term to describe the drubbing and humiliation it received. First of all, its not complete hosting as half the matches, semi and final held in Dubai. The Host nation just got to play only one match in Pakistan..4 washed out matches. No PCB representatives in the final trophy presentation.. Players belongings have got stolen multiple times.. Poor planning of the Semifinal, where Group B teams Aus and SA has to travel to and fro between Dubai, You may blame BCCI/ICC, but PCB is also involved in Planning and approval, you cant deny it. Poor turnaround for all matches except the one India played..and Most of all, India won the Trophy!!!..what else could go wrong..please forget hosting any ICC trophy..aap ki bas ki baat nahi hai..

 

[nish_mate]

Established being a key word, by which stretch of imagination and by which kpi are East Pakistan an established cricketing nation?

 

[charlie007]

I wonder how much money Pakistan made from it.
In the past when hosting tournaments, due to high levels of security, my understanding is there wasn't much juice left.

PCB would have earned money from sponsorships, gate receipts, ICC host fee, ICC contribution toward renovations etc., but more importantly Pakistan showed that it can host a world event without any security issues even at scale and that it continues to remain safe for teams.

 

[Varun]

Backfire is a modest term to describe the drubbing and humiliation it received. First of all, its not complete hosting as half the matches, semi and final held in Dubai. The Host nation just got to play only one match in Pakistan..4 washed out matches. No PCB representatives in the final trophy presentation.. Players belongings have got stolen multiple times.. Poor planning of the Semifinal, where Group B teams Aus and SA has to travel to and fro between Dubai, You may blame BCCI/ICC, but PCB is also involved in Planning and approval, you cant deny it. Poor turnaround for all matches except the one India played..and Most of all, India won the Trophy!!!..what else could go wrong..please forget hosting any ICC trophy..aap ki bas ki baat nahi hai..

Whose?

 

[chakdeindian]

Whose?

David Miller, Rachin Ravindra..

 

[shah9425]

David Miller, Rachin Ravindra..

Source trust me bro and your **** media

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Jay Shah has all praise for tournament host ie Pakistan
===

https://twitter.com/x/status/1899790387713315179

 

[Local.Dada]

I don’t understand how the narrative changed from Naqvi saab stood up to BCCI and owned them to Naqvi saab sold out to BCCI in a span of 3 weeks

 

[jnaveen1980]

I don’t understand how the narrative changed from Naqvi saab stood up to BCCI and owned them to Naqvi saab sold out to BCCI in a span of 3 weeks

In the next tournament in India , Pakistan will not be playing. Now they may end up playing all their matches on the same ground Let us see how the world and pak fans react.

 

[shah9425]

Jay Shah has all praise for tournament host ie Pakistan
===

https://twitter.com/x/status/1899790387713315179

This guy is an embarrassment to cricket
And now ICC chairman
What a joke

 

[charlie007]

In the next tournament in India , Pakistan will not be playing. Now they may end up playing all their matches on the same ground Let us see how the world and pak fans react.

Unh unh … Pakistan will not play all their matches at the same ground now. With all the protests from teams, players, armchair experts, and fans, ICC has realized that this format gave India an advantage. So from now on for India hosted tournaments, Pakistan will shuttle from city to city in another country so this type of grave injustice doesn’t happen again. The tournament needs to be fair for all. After all, two wrongs don’t make a right

 

[saimayubera]

I don’t understand how the narrative changed from Naqvi saab stood up to BCCI and owned them to Naqvi saab sold out to BCCI in a span of 3 weeks

When India was in Dubai and the other teams were in Pak, Pakistani posters were trolling India with "It's like a party where Ind was not invited".

I immediately knew "travel" excuses would come up when India would start winning and especially after defeating Pakistan cause this exact same thing happened in Asia Cup. "Travel" excuses came up only when Ind defeated Pak on the reserve day.

 

[saimayubera]

Jay Shah has all praise for tournament host ie Pakistan
===

https://twitter.com/x/status/1899790387713315179

Jay Shah has more footage than Pakistan (whose only footage is the lost match against India)

 

[Local.Dada]

What? No lol.

Indians migrate out of desperation as well.

Pakistani people migrate out of desperation less and out of opportunity more for 2 reasons.

A) India has a bigger population hence the number of people that are wanting to migrate for

1) Family
2) opportunity
3) Desperation

1 and 3 you may have a case that there are more Indians than Pakistanis due to sheer volumes. However “opportunities” there is no way- India pretty much dominates the IT and other service sectors aborad.

Then you have doctors, pharmacists, PHD’s and even without looking at data one can say there are higher volume of Indians in that area.

 

[mominsaigol]

1 and 3 you may have a case that there are more Indians than Pakistanis due to sheer volumes. However “opportunities” there is no way- India pretty much dominates the IT and other service sectors aborad.

Then you have doctors, pharmacists, PHD’s and even without looking at data one can say there are higher volume of Indians in that area.

By opportunity I meant opportunity compared to the west.

Pakistani want to migrate due to better opportunities while Indians want to migrate due to better opportunities.

India having a better infrastructure then Pakistan doesn't mean their better then a developed country. India is still an emerging developing nation.

As a result their more Indians who migrate for opportunity then Pakistani due to population count.

Even in Australia, Their 100,000 Pakistani living here as compared to 780,000 Indians.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

A few years ago no one wanted to tour Pakistan far less play there.

Now, except for India, all other teams, media groups, boards, have gone back with positive memories of playing there. Or, at the least, it was like any other tour for visiting teams.

This is a huge turnaround. I don’t know why Pakistani fans are not recognising this - maybe because it’s right in front of them?

It was, IMO, a disastrous short term experience for Pakistan in cricket achievement terms. But in the medium to long term it was a milestone accomplishment for the nation as a whole.