Is Pakistan ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

[BouncerGuy]

With the ICC finally confirming Pakistan as the host for the Champions Trophy 2025, the limelight is firmly on the PCB to deliver the tournament in the best possible manner. This marks a significant moment for Pakistan, as it's their first major ICC event since 1996. However, this also puts immense pressure on the PCB to ensure everything runs smoothly. Stadium readiness will form a crucial part of these preparations, and the PCB is facing a race against time to get everything in order.

The PCB has been working diligently to ensure that the stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi meet international standards. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reaffirmed their commitment, stating that all preparations are on track and that Pakistan is fully prepared to host a world-class tournament.

Pakistan has earmarked three key stadiums for the tournament:

• Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: This historic ground is expected to host the final. However, reports suggest ongoing renovations are behind schedule, raising concerns about its preparedness.
• National Stadium, Karachi: Another premier venue, it's undergoing significant upgrades to meet ICC standards.
• Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium: There have been media reports suggesting this stadium could lose hosting rights due to infrastructure concerns.

Due to ongoing political tensions, the tournament will follow a hybrid model. India's matches will be played at a neutral venue, likely in the UAE, while Pakistan will host the rest of the games. This decision has been met with mixed reactions.

Indian media has been vocal about the security concerns and the decision to not play in Pakistan. Some outlets have criticized the PCB for not being able to host the entire tournament on home soil, while others have highlighted the financial implications and the potential loss of tourism revenue for Pakistan.

Despite the challenges, the PCB remains optimistic and is focused on delivering a successful and memorable event. The Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an exciting tournament, showcasing Pakistan's passion for cricket and hospitality.

 

[Devadwal]

Just a week left for ICC deadlines to complete all the renovations by PCB. Can PCB do it in this time frames ?

If they not than this will be biggest humiliation for host country.

 

[Bhaijaan]

It reminds me of our old days when everything used to be barely put together at the last moment. While we learnt and became more organized Pakistan still seems to be living in the old era. Mohsin Naqvi has done a commendable job in leading PCB and looking after all the infrastructure projects but one just wonders why wasn’t this done much earlier when the hosting rights were awarded?

My fear is that in trying to meet the deadlines, they will most likely do a mediocre job and might compromise the look or even safety of the grounds in the process.

It’s been decades since PCB overtook major upgradation of their stadiums. Ideally I would much prefer to give them all the sweet time they need to deliver the best product to the fans rather than do an average job just to meet the deadlines.

 

[Slim]

It reminds me of our old days when everything used to be barely put together at the last moment. While we learnt and became more organized Pakistan still seems to be living in the old era. Mohsin Naqvi has done a commendable job in leading PCB and looking after all the infrastructure projects but one just wonders why wasn’t this done much earlier when the hosting rights were awarded?

My fear is that in trying to meet the deadlines, they will most likely do a mediocre job and might compromise the look or even safety of the grounds in the process.

It’s been decades since PCB overtook major upgradation of their stadiums. Ideally I would much prefer to give them all the sweet time they need to deliver the best product to the fans rather than do an average job just to meet the deadlines.

The recently organized worldcup in India was mismanaged and had awful organization. One of the worst organized cricket tournaments.


- Schedule released not on time, and venues were constantly changed.

Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...lurch-with-schedule-still-under-wraps-1384317



- Common people were not able to buy tickets as the third party agent used didnt have the required infrastructure to manage such a high traffic hold. Shows BCCI’s incompetence and lack of due diligence. Multiple accusations of tickets being sold in black, and other corrupt practises. Common stuff for India which is a highly corrupt country with a low trust society.

Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...trated-by-world-cup-ticketing-process-1402754

- No opening ceremony for the tournament but rather a special ceremony for the India Pakistan match. Extremely embarrasing and showed lack of professionalism on BCCI’s part. Majorly due to a guy heading an organization thanks to daddy even though he cannot string two coherent sentences together. Also again exposed the lack of principles and hypocrisy of Indian govt. So much for muhh jawan and then get exposed by organizing special naach gana for enemy nation. Embarrassing stuff. But par for the course for Indians.

- Making issues for Pakistani fans and journalists. Not giving them visas. Showcasing pettiness and small minded behavior. Exhibiting that no matter how much money they get, they will never outgrow their village mentality. Hence not fully capable of organizing international level tournaments which requires basic professionalism.


I can go on and on but keep the patronising tone to yourself. For people who beat their own drum 24/7, one would think you guys are world beaters in everything. Just obnoxious and annoying to the whole world, thats it.

 

[Bhaijaan]

The recently organized worldcup in India was mismanaged and had awful organization. One of the worst organized cricket tournaments.


- Schedule released not on time, and venues were constantly changed.

Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...lurch-with-schedule-still-under-wraps-1384317



- Common people were not able to buy tickets as the third party agent used didnt have the required infrastructure to manage such a high traffic hold. Shows BCCI’s incompetence and lack of due diligence. Multiple accusations of tickets being sold in black, and other corrupt practises. Common stuff for India which is a highly corrupt country with a low trust society.

Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...trated-by-world-cup-ticketing-process-1402754

- No opening ceremony for the tournament but rather a special ceremony for the India Pakistan match. Extremely embarrasing and showed lack of professionalism on BCCI’s part. Majorly due to a guy heading an organization thanks to daddy even though he cannot string two coherent sentences together. Also again exposed the lack of principles and hypocrisy of Indian govt. So much for muhh jawan and then get exposed by organizing special naach gana for enemy nation. Embarrassing stuff. But par for the course for Indians.

- Making issues for Pakistani fans and journalists. Not giving them visas. Showcasing pettiness and small minded behavior. Exhibiting that no matter how much money they get, they will never outgrow their village mentality. Hence not fully capable of organizing international level tournaments which requires basic professionalism.


I can go on and on but keep the patronising tone to yourself. For people who beat their own drum 24/7, one would think you guys are world beaters in everything. Just obnoxious and annoying to the whole world, thats it.

It wasn’t an attack but an honest comment. You’re taking things to heart a lot. I don’t go around claiming BCCI to be best at organizing but they’ve come a long way from the 90s and early 2000s as a host in terms of infrastructure and management and PCB is trailing them at that. Where is the problem in being honest about all this? Why so insecure?

 

[Slim]

It wasn’t an attack but an honest comment. You’re taking things to heart a lot. I don’t go around claiming BCCI to be best at organizing but they’ve come a long way from the 90s and early 2000s as a host in terms of infrastructure and management and PCB is trailing them at that. Where is the problem in being honest about all this? Why so insecure?

Lol, i am just telling you the reality.

For fans and a cricket board that claims to be world beaters, you are not even capable of organizing one international tournament properly. Let us handle our own event.

 

[BouncerGuy]

stay on topic please...

IS PAKISTAN READY????

 

[Bhaijaan]

Lol, i am just telling you the reality.

For fans and a cricket board that claims to be world beaters, you are not even capable of organizing one international tournament properly. Let us handle our own event.

That’s an exaggeration by you and honestly you just sound bitter now. BCCI has its flaws but they’ve come a long way in organizing leagues and international cricket.

As a country also, Bharat has taken rapid strides in building top quality infrastructure at record time. It’s one of those things where you learn from the best, try to implement it domestically and gradually become better. In our case, we have tried to emulate Chinese pace of developing infra, we are not there yet but in doing so we came a long way and now we are building bridges, expressways, metro lines with greater efficiency.

You don’t need to be bitter about people sharing expertise and experience.

 

[Pakpak]

Wished they had included more grounds, but understand why they can't. I'd be interested to know over the years with PCB still earning the 4th most revenue, from 2010 to 2016, where did that money go? Why wasn't the money spent on keeping the grounds upto date? We all know where the money went so I am asking hypotheticals I suppose but its frustrating.

 

[Devadwal]

Schedule is delayed due to incompetent of PCB .

Grounds are not ready and one of the ground( Likely Pindi) is not even ready to host champions trophy so scheduled is not finalized .

PCB has to finsihed the grounds before 31 December as per ICC guidelines .

@Rajdeep

 

[Rajdeep]

Schedule is delayed due to incompetent of PCB .

Grounds are not ready and one of the ground( Likely Pindi) is not even ready to host champions trophy so scheduled is not finalized .

PCB has to finsihed the grounds before 31 December as per ICC guidelines .

@Rajdeep

I thought regular bilateral cricket is now happening in Pakistan with many teams touring there. So what is not ready about the ground?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The Rawalpindi Cricket stadium is in a sorry state and not fit to host ICC tournament matches. Two of the stands don't even have seats. I also haven't seen any construction work going on there like there is in Lahore and Karachi.

I think the better thing to do would be to shift the matches initially intended for Rawalpindi to Lahore.

 

[Devadwal]

The Rawalpindi Cricket stadium is in a sorry state and not fit to host ICC tournament matches. Two of the stands don't even have seats. I also haven't seen any construction work going on there like there is in Lahore and Karachi.

I think the better thing to do would be to shift the matches initially intended for Rawalpindi to Lahore.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1871422480503775386

PCB is too late as usual.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1871422480503775386

PCB is too late as usual.

It'll be done before the start of the tournament

 

[RidiculousMan]

It's not ready. But it will be ready before the tournament kicks off

 

[Devadwal]

It'll be done before the start of the tournament

This is not how things works for the ICC tournaments. PCB has to finished works untill 31 December after that ICC Will Takes controls for grounds. Broadcasters / Sponsors will need atleast one months to setup all things for the big tournaments.

It's not ready. But it will be ready before the tournament kicks off

 

[The Bald Eagle]

It's not ready. But it will be ready before the tournament kicks off

Credit goes to Mohsin Naqvi administration

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This is not how things works for the ICC tournaments. PCB has to finished works untill 31 December after that ICC Will Takes controls for grounds. Broadcasters / Sponsors will need atleast one months to setup all things for the big tournaments.

This is how things work with the PCB. I'm sure they will work out a way to manage it all. My guess is work will be going on until weeks before the start of the tournament.

 

[Hikaru]

Unpredictabilty is the real charm of Pakistan Cricket, PCB is living upto it. Very authentic mismanagement.

 

[emranabbas]

Unpredictabilty is the real charm of Pakistan Cricket, PCB is living upto it. Very authentic mismanagement.

you should be the last people to worry about the stadiums your not even playing in Pakistan

 

[JaDed]

Pak has hosted two ICC tournaments before so should be able to complete everything.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan is looking well prepared now so lets hope all things will be done properly without having any blunder.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Cricket and visas

PAKISTAN has asserted that delay in the announcement of the schedule of next year’s Champions Trophy will not create travel hassles for fans who will be arriving to see the action at the first international tournament in the country in 28 years. In a welcome move, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday stated that Pakistan will consider relaxing its visa policies to facilitate travel for fans and officials during the Feb 19-March 9 tournament. With Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi also holding the post of interior minister, Mr Tarar said that the visa policy was being finalised. He also extended an invitation to Indian fans to visit the country even if India’s matches of the tournament will be played in Dubai. India’s insistence that it will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy had resulted in a long stand-off that was eventually resolved with the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India having reached an agreement — formalised by the International Cricket Council — that matches involving either side at ICC tournaments held in either country — till 2027 — would be played at a neutral venue.

The wait for a first clash between the two arch-rivals on Pakistani soil since 2008, therefore, goes on for local fans. Mr Tarar said that Indian fans will be “welcomed with open arms”, a remark pointed at India’s reluctance to grant visas to fans from Pakistan, despite their having tickets, at last year’s ODI World Cup in India. The hosting of the Champions Trophy offers Pakistan a chance to build up its sports tourism industry, offering fans an opportunity to immerse themselves in the country’s vibrant culture whilst enjoying the cricket matches. Such opportunities have been few for Pakistan, which last played host to an international cricket tournament at the 1996 ODI World Cup. It is only appropriate that Pakistan make the most out of the tournament as it welcomes the cricketing world to its shores.

Cricket and visas

PAKISTAN has asserted that delay in the announcement of the schedule of next year’s Champions Trophy will not...

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