[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Will the stadiums in Pakistan be ready on time for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

[jnaveen1980]

This is karacthi stadium current update

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I read somewhere there is lack of transparency when it comes to following established protocol of a committee approving the allocated money which is 43 million in this case. There was no committee to scrutinize this. Since they were in a hurry They have bypassed quiet a few protocols. Hope security protocol is not one of them. May be they kept changing the plan ended up shooting for the moon.

Security is not in their hands, its in the hands of the state institutions with whom they coordinate. And its not something they take lightly. If anything its overkill and makes the entire fan experience considerably torturous.

 

[zaidihusain]

CT was awarded to Pakistan in November 2021. I am wondering what previous PCB chairman were doing in 2022 & 2023. Why was the renovation work started only under Mohsin Naqvi?

 

[BouncerGuy]

The iconic Gaddafi Stadium is looking good.

 

[Pakpak]

CT was awarded to Pakistan in November 2021. I am wondering what previous PCB chairman were doing in 2022 & 2023. Why was the renovation work started only under Mohsin Naqvi?

Many reasons:

Everyone thought even here it'd never happen in Pakistan and be moved. Hence at the time there was no hurry to revamp or improve any stadiums.

Most of the attention and the money, in millions, was spent on hosting international teams and the PSL all at home and every spare cent was spared to ensure it all went smoothly

Thirdly and you're right on this one this should have been done long ago. Our stadiums generally are rotting. The fact the 5th largest population in the world, 4th richest board by revenue and one of the most historical teams has only 3 stadiums in any condition is utterly shocking.

The real reason ofcourse is PCB has been treated like a private bank for the looters who have also robbed the country. PP itself exposed under Sethi countless people travelling and using PCBs budget for hotels.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

As previously said, the works that they've put in is substandard as they have rushed and still behind and the look is still from old school days.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Timelines keep getting extended & work milestones keep getting lowered. Here's the update on Qaddafi

1. Top two floors of the PCB building will not be completed.
2. False ceilings & floor tiling may or may not be completed in the main pavilion building.
3. Water tank on top of the PCB office building will not be constructed.
4. Deadline has been extended a few days north of 31st Jan but initial reports suggest not by much.

The exterior roads & revamp is on schedule. Civil works on the roads going as planned. Pedestrian walkways being constructed from Ferozepur road side & Punjab Horticulture Authority is tasked to do plant work around the stadium as well as fix the pathways. WAPDA has completed redesign and pushback of transmission lines & towers. Punjab Sports complex wall taken down & road extended in front of the main PCB building. Roadwork complete mostly except a patch of 200 or so meters but it's the one where construction is being done so it will be completed at the end.

Liberty round about digging complete now & PHA will start renovating that roundabout. Security points being monitored & created, safe city camera installation is happening but don't know the progress of that.

Inside the stadium the lights are being tested, SMD screen 1 is tested but the installation of the second one isn't complete. The perimeter fence that faces the ground has been painted. The perimeter fence that faces the spectators is not complete. Stadium partitions are not complete. The tough tile work is not complete. Spectator washrooms are not complete. Civil work inside the stadium revolves around creating spectator fences, enclosure partitions, wiring for screens, drainage for bathrooms, etc. & it's not delayed but it's also not finished. Chairs aren't a major issue as they won't require heavy machinery to install once they arrive so the issue that most people are worried is the least of the worries at the moment.

I still don't get why they didn't use precast steps & slabs for VVIP pavilion, or perimeter wall of the PCB building. Some of the work has defied logic but then I'm not a civil engineer so there may be some valid reasons for that.

At this point I am not even interested in the events happening in Karachi. They are not only behind schedule but also doing the job slowly. The good news from Karachi however is that they have finalized two external parking spots and are working to clean them. The bad news is that they have to now create two pedestrian bridges (at least) to ensure that spectators can park their cars, take the bridge, & cross the road without interrupting traffic. The progress of lights is slow as they haven't even installed the framework on light poles & the less said about screens & PCB building the better. It has taken more than 7 days to install the SMD screen after it arrived & the platform was already prepared, in Karachi the platform doesn't even exist & we have just seven days left to complete the stadium.

Rawalpindi doesn't have anything major but the progress is slow there as well. The hospitality boxes are going okay but they had to create proper framework in the base but nothing has happened on them yet.

So many questions to ask from FWO & Habib constructions at this point but all they do is smile, wave, & extend the deadline every time they interact with the media.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Imagine cricket teams battling it out on the field in Champions Trophy, while in the background, workers are pulling off their own version of a Test match to meet deadlines.

 

[Vikram1989]

Timelines keep getting extended & work milestones keep getting lowered. Here's the update on Qaddafi

1.

Bro ,how u r getting the details if everyone is hiding them under the carpet desperately/sneakily. Seems u r very much attention to details guy and quite a persuasive stalker .Impressive

 

[Devadwal]

Imagine cricket teams battling it out on the field in Champions Trophy, while in the background, workers are pulling off their own version of a Test match to meet deadlines.

Update - Play is stop due to some construction works . we will shortly back to you latest update .

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Bro ,how u r getting the details if everyone is hiding them under the carpet desperately/sneakily. Seems u r very much attention to details guy and quite a persuasive stalker .Impressive

Ngl, following the construction trophy is the most fun I've had following cricket in years. The sources feeding info are spread around, some via open channels like YT etc. & others a bit more discrete.

There are some wiring & drainage issues so space around the stadium is still dug up but once it's done Qadafi will be a sight to behold. They are now talking about cutting some of the old trees for clearing road paths & it's making me sad. Shrubbery that's just planted there a day or two before the event does not add character like old trees.

Pindi & Lahore will be fine, Karachi has to pull socks up otherwise they'll have to move the tri-series from there.

 

[FearlessRoar]

World-class SMD screens have been tested in Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

So how much satisfied are you with the latest developments at Gaddafi Stadium?

https://imgur.com/a/7nZGYTm

 

[RehanG]

What i fail to understand is why not have it in such a way that you can build another tier. And have around 60-70k capacity.

 

[Vikram1989]

Pindi & Lahore will be fine, Karachi has to pull socks up otherwise they'll have to move the tri-series from there.

I suspect pcb /establishment will knock off the remaining works after ct with low quality work and goes on rampant corruption mode with remaining allocated amount.Again it will be a sub standard viewing performance for pak fans.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

I suspect pcb /establishment will knock off the remaining works after ct with low quality work and goes on rampant corruption mode with remaining allocated amount.Again it will be a sub standard viewing performance for pak fans.

Don't want to bring politics in this thread but now that I understand a bit more how Pak works, the PCB head is just a figurehead with no real power & someone else is always pulling the financial strings behind the scenes. It's very easy to see how money flow is working just by looking at the contractors they have hired for this work.

The thing is that the work quality will be ok by Asian standards but if you look at how Optus stadium is it will be nowhere close. My only fear is that they stop working on the stadiums after the champions trophy. Pak has also built a decent stadium in Peshawar and with a renovated Gaddafi stadium, a decent one in Karachi, an ok one in Multan, & a good one in Peshawar, cricket will have a chance to grow via PSL. That's the point of hosting international level tournaments, once they are over the young kids keep that inspiration & the sports grows.

 

[Pakpak]

Don't want to bring politics in this thread but now that I understand a bit more how Pak works, the PCB head is just a figurehead with no real power & someone else is always pulling the financial strings behind the scenes. It's very easy to see how money flow is working just by looking at the contractors they have hired for this work.

The thing is that the work quality will be ok by Asian standards but if you look at how Optus stadium is it will be nowhere close. My only fear is that they stop working on the stadiums after the champions trophy. Pak has also built a decent stadium in Peshawar and with a renovated Gaddafi stadium, a decent one in Karachi, an ok one in Multan, & a good one in Peshawar, cricket will have a chance to grow via PSL. That's the point of hosting international level tournaments, once they are over the young kids keep that inspiration & the sports grows.

Thanks for all your posts on updates.

And you're right. I feel after CT is over they'll forget all about it. I quite like Peshawar's ground as well. I really hope we get to see PZ play there.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Stadiums are ready... Only team not ready to come in pakistan is we know which one... I hope we have a great event.. missed these events for a long time.

 

[FearlessRoar]

As per reports:

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Naqvi, is set to host a luncheon for the construction workers of Gaddafi Stadium as the venue’s renovation nears completion ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

The event, scheduled for February 7, will serve as a gesture of appreciation for the workers' dedication in preparing the stadium for the upcoming eight-team tournament.

Naqvi is also expected to personally meet the workers and acknowledge their hard work.

In addition, the PCB plans to invite the workers to attend the first match hosted at the newly renovated stadium.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Needs another tier and a roof. But atleast they are now working on the stadiums.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Update for 24th Jan

1. Civil works continue. Cleaning around the stadium now the biggest item on agenda. Road work in front of the PCB building / pavilion end ongoing. This little patch is the only one that was without a proper road & once it's done the entire ring road around the stadium as well as entry & exit points (Liberty & Ferozepur road) will be complete. The straight road next to Hockey stadium will also be retouched.

2. WAPDA work complete. The electric polls have been pushed back.

3. The work on the external wall of the Sports Association building will commence once the road is done. This may require cutting down some trees & putting concrete slabs if any missing on the drainage.

4. 3 out of 6 flood lights functional & tested. They are now adding the laser lights to the polls as well as perfecting the throws of each light. Once done these lights will be able to perform laser show. The stadium lights are white, they won't change color but the laser lights will be of different colors.

5. The SMD screen 1 is ready & tested. The SMD screen 2 is 95% complete. It was 100% complete but they had to remove the panels & reinstall. This is the same Daktranics team that will fit the SMD screen in Karachi & most probably Rawalpindi. The shipment for Karachi & Rawalpindi has not yet reached Pakistan.

6. The design of netting to be placed on the trench is finalized. It's a white net so far but may change & also a different way to add it is being considered because some of the broadcast wiring railings are installed in the trench.

7. Water pumps are being installed around the trench.

8. The tough tile work on the promenades is complete at most places. The only places that remain are the ones where digging for water pumps is needed. The final phase of the stadium will also see partitions and doors installed to ensure that no enclosure swapping is possible by fans. I was wishing that they'd use glass / thick transparent plastic to do so but they are using pipe fences which will reduce the look of the stadium a bit

9. The pavilion is doing ok but the PCB office building is struggling. The top two floors of the office building will not be completed & labor is only doing minor touch ups there.

10. The cladding sheets are being cut and placed sporadically. There are more than 1K panels that need to be placed but they have gotten more cradles so installation will now be faster.

11. The roof work for both the buildings is done. Concrete setup for outdoor A/C units is now dry so we will see them get installed quickly.

12. The chairs have arrived.

13. The VVIP spectator stand is done. Seats are installed.

14. The player dressing rooms and external stairs from the dressing room balcony to the stadium are being finalized.

15. Model bathrooms on all floors completed & being tested.

16. PHA, WASA, WAPDA, and the other 5 or so departments are helping with the upgradation process.

There are similar updates for Karachi but this post is too long & I'm tired so I'll stop here.

 

[jnaveen1980]

It should have never come to a situation where they have to attempt to complete on a war footing.

 

[Pakpak]

Update for 24th Jan

1. Civil works continue. Cleaning around the stadium now the biggest item on agenda. Road work in front of the PCB building / pavilion end ongoing. This little patch is the only one that was without a proper road & once it's done the entire ring road around the stadium as well as entry & exit points (Liberty & Ferozepur road) will be complete. The straight road next to Hockey stadium will also be retouched.

2. WAPDA work complete. The electric polls have been pushed back.

3. The work on the external wall of the Sports Association building will commence once the road is done. This may require cutting down some trees & putting concrete slabs if any missing on the drainage.

4. 3 out of 6 flood lights functional & tested. They are now adding the laser lights to the polls as well as perfecting the throws of each light. Once done these lights will be able to perform laser show. The stadium lights are white, they won't change color but the laser lights will be of different colors.

5. The SMD screen 1 is ready & tested. The SMD screen 2 is 95% complete. It was 100% complete but they had to remove the panels & reinstall. This is the same Daktranics team that will fit the SMD screen in Karachi & most probably Rawalpindi. The shipment for Karachi & Rawalpindi has not yet reached Pakistan.

6. The design of netting to be placed on the trench is finalized. It's a white net so far but may change & also a different way to add it is being considered because some of the broadcast wiring railings are installed in the trench.

7. Water pumps are being installed around the trench.

8. The tough tile work on the promenades is complete at most places. The only places that remain are the ones where digging for water pumps is needed. The final phase of the stadium will also see partitions and doors installed to ensure that no enclosure swapping is possible by fans. I was wishing that they'd use glass / thick transparent plastic to do so but they are using pipe fences which will reduce the look of the stadium a bit

9. The pavilion is doing ok but the PCB office building is struggling. The top two floors of the office building will not be completed & labor is only doing minor touch ups there.

10. The cladding sheets are being cut and placed sporadically. There are more than 1K panels that need to be placed but they have gotten more cradles so installation will now be faster.

11. The roof work for both the buildings is done. Concrete setup for outdoor A/C units is now dry so we will see them get installed quickly.

12. The chairs have arrived.

13. The VVIP spectator stand is done. Seats are installed.

14. The player dressing rooms and external stairs from the dressing room balcony to the stadium are being finalized.

15. Model bathrooms on all floors completed & being tested.

16. PHA, WASA, WAPDA, and the other 5 or so departments are helping with the upgradation process.

There are similar updates for Karachi but this post is too long & I'm tired so I'll stop here.

Isn't the roof going to be installed after the tourney?

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Isn't the roof going to be installed after the tourney?

Nothing clear about post CT at the moment. This is what they have said so far

1. Lahore: Full development of the PCB office building including all 5 floors, PCB museum on ground floor in PCB offices, stadium roof, & completion of the hotel building that PCB has purchased/is purchasing.

2. Karachi: Completion of PCB building & offices that is being built right now, new spectator stands similar to Lahore, trench for better viewing experience, tearing down of the current old pavilion building & replacing it with a modern media center, permanent SMD screens, roof of the spectator stands.

3. Rawalpindi: Major overhaul but scope not mentioned. Flood lights upgrade. Increase in capacity. This will only happen if they don't build the stadium in Islamabad. Apparently there's a massive push in funding more stadiums these days from certain quarters to create a softer image of you know who.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Karachi’s National Stadium Renovation Nears Completion for Champions Trophy 2025

The renovation work at the National Stadium Karachi has entered its final phase as the city prepares to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for February.

As part of the upgrades, two enclosures at the stadium will be renamed in honor of cricket legends Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan, both from Karachi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday. The renovation includes the construction of a new far-end building, where the players’ area has been completed. Work is now focused on final touches, such as cleaning and partitioning the upper floors.

On Thursday, the PCB arranged a media tour of the stadium to showcase the progress of the renovation.

Arshad Khan, General Manager of National Stadium Karachi, confirmed that two VIP enclosures with a combined seating capacity of 1,050 will be located at the ground level of the new far-end building. These enclosures will be named after former players Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas.

Furthermore, the existing Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas enclosures will be renamed in honor of Younis Khan and Nazar Mohammad, respectively. The Quaid Enclosure will now be renamed the Shahid Afridi Enclosure.

“The new stadium layout also aligns the Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad enclosures with the Far-End Building, following the traditional arrangement where VIP enclosures are situated next to the players’ area. The enclosures adjacent to the older building will be renamed after Iqbal Qasim and Naseem-ul-Ghani,” explained Arshad Khan.

Upgrades to the stadium’s lighting system are also nearing completion. Frames have been installed on three of the light towers, with the remaining towers expected to be finished within two days. The installation of lights will follow.

Project Director Bilal Chauhan informed the media that construction on the main building is nearly complete. “The stands on the ground floor and the partitions on the top floor will be finished soon. By January 28, the stands will be ready for seat installation,” he said.

Chauhan also confirmed that the players’ dressing rooms on the first floor have been completed, with cleaning currently underway. He expressed confidence that all renovation work will be finalized by January 31, ensuring the stadium is fully ready to host both the Champions Trophy and a tri-nation series.

Once complete, the revamped National Stadium will offer a state-of-the-art experience for both players and fans, further elevating the iconic venue’s stature in the world of cricket.

Karachi’s National Stadium Renovation Nears Completion for Champions Trophy 2025 - 24/7 News

The renovation work at the National Stadium Karachi has entered its final phase as the city prepares to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for February.

247news.com.pk

 

[emranabbas]

 

[FearlessRoar]

Excited to see these renovated stadiums during the Tri-Nation Series

 

[shah9425]

I hope they get completed in time

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

I hope they get completed in time

Stadium updates.

1. Rawalpindi. All going according to plan. The grass isn't fully green but Spring hasn't hit yet.

2. Karachi. They are trying to sound confident but it is behind schedule & now they are cutting tasks of the checklist to reach deadline. The work is ongoing on

a. New building. Player dressing rooms, hospitality boxes, VVIP areas, & so on. It's an almost mirror image of the building in Lahore.
b. Parking: Three different parking areas under construction. 2 are outside the stadium, & 1 is within the premise, right behind the new pavilion building.
c. PCB office towers: Idk what was the purpose of them other than aesthetic but they are under construction.
d. SMD screens: Framework not ready yet. Screens were supposed to arrive on 25th/26th. Same Daktronics team after installing Lahore screens is supposed to move to Karachi.
e. Perimeter fence: Done mostly
f. Seat installation: Other than Intikhab Alam enclosure (2000 capacity) seats are going to be installed.
g. Flood lights: Towers being maintained in phase 1. Installation of lights will happen only after towers have the light holders installed. 2 holders were erected until 24th. Not sure about the situation now.
h. VVIP stand in front of pavilion: Unlike Lahore, this is being built in a different manner so let's see how it develops.

3. Lahore. Lahore is where most of the work is happening so I'll try to summarize

a. Infrastructure around the stadium. The circular road is being carpeted with Asphalt. New pedestrian walk ways are almost constructed & tough tile work is mostly complete. Plantation & tidying up being done by Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA). The last phase of the project is when road markings, signage, & other things will be done. Task on schedule, no issues here.
b. The floodlights & SMD screens: All floodlights are complete & they are in testing phase. Same with the SMD screens, both are complete & testing underway.
c. Stadium civil work for stands etc.: Partitions for enclosures, enclosure gates, perimeter fence for enclosures, tough tiles, spectator entrance gates, bathrooms, shops etc. are going as planned. No issues here
d. PCB office building. Only three floors are being worked instead of the 5 as claimed before. Work is going ok & will be complete after cutting tasks. The glass mounts are ready for all glass work but will be placed in the end as they are using the empty spaces to help with the cladding process.
e. Pavilion building. Flooring sheets in place on most floors. Electric wiring, air conditioning, plumbing, is steadily proceeding with electric terminations at both ends now being complete in some rooms (which are the final step in electric wiring). Still unsure if they will install false ceiling everywhere. The balconies are complete for most floors & seats are being installed. It's going okay & will be complete.
f. Outside panel work: Aluminum cladding sheets are being placed on the external walls. The cutting & shaping crew is working day & night while installation is steadily progressing. Labor for this task has been doubled & work is happening in 3 shifts.
g. Roof work: The roof is complete. They are installing water tanks, outdoor AC units, & using the roof to erect outdoor cradles for cladding work.
h. Security perimeter wall: The wall will take 3 days to complete. The doors are here as well.

All in all Lahore is doing okay, Pindi is fine, but Karachi is racing against the clock. There are also no regular updates from Karachi so we don't really know the extent of the work. The schedule of tri series is such that Lahore has matches before Karachi so they do get couple of extra days to complete tasks but let us see.

 

[chinaman00]

Cricket is supposed to be Pakistan’s national obsession but given how shoddy these stadium look, even after the supposed renovation, it’s obvious that this is a country in a serious mismanagement circle.

Fans will continue to avoid coming to the stadium because of the unreasonable and unacceptable fan experience situation. In return, PCB and PSL teams will continue to lose revenue and the vicious circle will continue.

 

[Devadwal]

Less than a month left still construction works are going there.

This is embarassing for PCB but pakistan fans as usual denied it .

 

[Deewana Mastana]

What i fail to understand is why not have it in such a way that you can build another tier. And have around 60-70k capacity.

When there's barely 500 people turning up to a game whats the point of 60-70k capacity.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Cricket is supposed to be Pakistan’s national obsession but given how shoddy these stadium look, even after the supposed renovation, it’s obvious that this is a country in a serious mismanagement circle.

Fans will continue to avoid coming to the stadium because of the unreasonable and unacceptable fan experience situation. In return, PCB and PSL teams will continue to lose revenue and the vicious circle will continue.

This is what happens when you start 6 months before the CT.

Just look at the state of the outfield, looks burnt out brown nothing green.

 

[Bhaijaan]

BREAKING: PCB unveils their master plan for the ICC Champions Trophy renovations called “Construction till the Toss!”

Word from the PCB camp is that they’re setting new records, not just on the field but also in stadium renovations. Fans attending matches might get a chance to witness not only world-class cricket but also live construction work! Want a front-row seat? Better bring a hard hat because the scaffolding might still be up when the first ball is bowled.


Rumor has it, the players’ dressing rooms might double as makeshift contractor offices. Imagine Shaheen Shah Afridi warming up in one corner while a worker installs a ceiling fan in the other. Or Babar Azam giving a pre-match pep talk amidst the sounds of drills and hammers.

For fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! You’ll get to dodge wheelbarrows on your way to your seat, and if you’re lucky, you might find a plastic chair with a work in progress sign attached.

And don’t even ask about the pitch. It will probably be rolled with a cement mixer still parked nearby.

PCB officials assure us there’s no cause for concern. We work best under pressure,said one official, possibly inspired by the team’s batting in tight chases. The final coat of paint will be applied just as the national anthem starts.

So, gear up, cricket fans! This isn’t just a tournament, its a live-action reality show, a blend of cricket and construction, chaos and comedy. Just pray the floodlights aren’t installed mid-match!

 

[Pakpak]

Cricket is supposed to be Pakistan’s national obsession but given how shoddy these stadium look, even after the supposed renovation, it’s obvious that this is a country in a serious mismanagement circle.

Fans will continue to avoid coming to the stadium because of the unreasonable and unacceptable fan experience situation. In return, PCB and PSL teams will continue to lose revenue and the vicious circle will continue.

Sssh you can't mention any valid criticism. You'll be accused of following a cult.

 

[Major]

BREAKING: PCB unveils their master plan for the ICC Champions Trophy renovations called “Construction till the Toss!”

Word from the PCB camp is that they’re setting new records, not just on the field but also in stadium renovations. Fans attending matches might get a chance to witness not only world-class cricket but also live construction work! Want a front-row seat? Better bring a hard hat because the scaffolding might still be up when the first ball is bowled.


Rumor has it, the players’ dressing rooms might double as makeshift contractor offices. Imagine Shaheen Shah Afridi warming up in one corner while a worker installs a ceiling fan in the other. Or Babar Azam giving a pre-match pep talk amidst the sounds of drills and hammers.

For fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! You’ll get to dodge wheelbarrows on your way to your seat, and if you’re lucky, you might find a plastic chair with a work in progress sign attached.

And don’t even ask about the pitch. It will probably be rolled with a cement mixer still parked nearby.

PCB officials assure us there’s no cause for concern. We work best under pressure,said one official, possibly inspired by the team’s batting in tight chases. The final coat of paint will be applied just as the national anthem starts.

So, gear up, cricket fans! This isn’t just a tournament, its a live-action reality show, a blend of cricket and construction, chaos and comedy. Just pray the floodlights aren’t installed mid-match!

 

[Slim]

Ngl, following the construction trophy is the most fun I've had following cricket in years. The sources feeding info are spread around, some via open channels like YT etc. & others a bit more discrete.

There are some wiring & drainage issues so space around the stadium is still dug up but once it's done Qadafi will be a sight to behold. They are now talking about cutting some of the old trees for clearing road paths & it's making me sad. Shrubbery that's just planted there a day or two before the event does not add character like old trees.

Pindi & Lahore will be fine, Karachi has to pull socks up otherwise they'll have to move the tri-series from there.

I dont think theres any need to stress, PCB should limit the tournament to Lahore and Pindi. The CT in England was also limited to 2 stadiums if i remember correctly.

 

[Slim]

Sssh you can't mention any valid criticism. You'll be accused of following a cult.

The difference between a cult and a normal sane logical person is @GoUgandaCranes. Absolutely fantastic analysis by him and he deserves a lot of applaud for how he is so painstakingly putting information together to give us a good picture of whats happening. Cult supporters can go to hell, they only love their cult leader and have nothing to do with Pakistan.

 

[shah9425]

Stadium updates.

1. Rawalpindi. All going according to plan. The grass isn't fully green but Spring hasn't hit yet.

2. Karachi. They are trying to sound confident but it is behind schedule & now they are cutting tasks of the checklist to reach deadline. The work is ongoing on

a. New building. Player dressing rooms, hospitality boxes, VVIP areas, & so on. It's an almost mirror image of the building in Lahore.
b. Parking: Three different parking areas under construction. 2 are outside the stadium, & 1 is within the premise, right behind the new pavilion building.
c. PCB office towers: Idk what was the purpose of them other than aesthetic but they are under construction.
d. SMD screens: Framework not ready yet. Screens were supposed to arrive on 25th/26th. Same Daktronics team after installing Lahore screens is supposed to move to Karachi.
e. Perimeter fence: Done mostly
f. Seat installation: Other than Intikhab Alam enclosure (2000 capacity) seats are going to be installed.
g. Flood lights: Towers being maintained in phase 1. Installation of lights will happen only after towers have the light holders installed. 2 holders were erected until 24th. Not sure about the situation now.
h. VVIP stand in front of pavilion: Unlike Lahore, this is being built in a different manner so let's see how it develops.

3. Lahore. Lahore is where most of the work is happening so I'll try to summarize

a. Infrastructure around the stadium. The circular road is being carpeted with Asphalt. New pedestrian walk ways are almost constructed & tough tile work is mostly complete. Plantation & tidying up being done by Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA). The last phase of the project is when road markings, signage, & other things will be done. Task on schedule, no issues here.
b. The floodlights & SMD screens: All floodlights are complete & they are in testing phase. Same with the SMD screens, both are complete & testing underway.
c. Stadium civil work for stands etc.: Partitions for enclosures, enclosure gates, perimeter fence for enclosures, tough tiles, spectator entrance gates, bathrooms, shops etc. are going as planned. No issues here
d. PCB office building. Only three floors are being worked instead of the 5 as claimed before. Work is going ok & will be complete after cutting tasks. The glass mounts are ready for all glass work but will be placed in the end as they are using the empty spaces to help with the cladding process.
e. Pavilion building. Flooring sheets in place on most floors. Electric wiring, air conditioning, plumbing, is steadily proceeding with electric terminations at both ends now being complete in some rooms (which are the final step in electric wiring). Still unsure if they will install false ceiling everywhere. The balconies are complete for most floors & seats are being installed. It's going okay & will be complete.
f. Outside panel work: Aluminum cladding sheets are being placed on the external walls. The cutting & shaping crew is working day & night while installation is steadily progressing. Labor for this task has been doubled & work is happening in 3 shifts.
g. Roof work: The roof is complete. They are installing water tanks, outdoor AC units, & using the roof to erect outdoor cradles for cladding work.
h. Security perimeter wall: The wall will take 3 days to complete. The doors are here as well.

All in all Lahore is doing okay, Pindi is fine, but Karachi is racing against the clock. There are also no regular updates from Karachi so we don't really know the extent of the work. The schedule of tri series is such that Lahore has matches before Karachi so they do get couple of extra days to complete tasks but let us see.

Thanks for detailed review

 

[Varun]

Won't be surprised if they install the floodlights during the day part of a D/N game. That's how tight they are keeping it.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Won't be surprised if they install the floodlights during the day part of a D/N game. That's how tight they are keeping it.

Yup we are being set up for some crazy never seen before miracles.

A day night match is going on and the natural light is fading, there is anticipation and mystery. Out of nowhere Pakistan’s fastest athletes come running with a bag of LED bulbs tied to their back and the crowd going wild. Commentators rising to the occasion like WWF Jim Ross.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Looking forward to watching Pakistan v New Zealand at GSL next week.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Initial reports coming out that unfortunately the deadline for stadium completion has been extended till 5th Feb now. I was expecting the deadline to increase from 30th to 2nd but this is a longer jump in deadline than expected. Wonder what could be the reason for that as most of the work looked under control in Lahore.

Karachi is way behind all other stadiums so maybe that's the reason why the deadline has increased. The project manager stated that the frames of the SMD screens are being built off site so everything is going ok & we just need to transport them to the stadium once the shipment arrives. The frames of floodlights are now installed & in the next step they should be installing lights. The man said it'll take a couple of days but the lights in Lahore have taken more than a month to get installed & the testing isn't finished yet so I don't know what to read in this. The work on parking is ongoing, the initial capacity in the onsite stadium parking was first stated to be 2700 but now has been lowered to 2K. ICC hasn't yet given approval of this parking btw as it is right behind the new pavilion building where players will be sitting during the matches. The other two offsite parking areas are also not being developed as fast as I had initially thought & the pedestrian bridges over the road now seem not feasible/possible. There's a complete coverage ban so information that's coming out is sporadic & I may be totally wrong in assessing Karachi's progress.

In Pindi they have now started building the VVIP stadium in front of the dressing room which is so weird because there was no point to start this now. They had so many months to complete this & they have delayed it to this point so whoever has come up with the planning here has a lot to answer. This is giving major Pakistan playing the super over vibes

 

[pratiktc]

What is important is to roll out broadcasting without a hitch for the first major global tournament in Pak in ages.
If there is any issue with stand preparation then cut it off the checklist and err on side of caution.

It is ok even if stadium is only 30-50% full in stands, more important is to roll out series without compromising broadcast (i.e. floodlights, press boxes, DRS quality)

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

PCB have gone about this whole thing in a highly unprofessional manner. The fact that the stadiums will likely be complete just in time for the tournament is not an acceptable way to do this. Why did they leave it so late? This should have been done months before the start of the tournament. Even when they announced this project everyone questioned if it could be completed in time.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Initial reports coming out that unfortunately the deadline for stadium completion has been extended till 5th Feb now. I was expecting the deadline to increase from 30th to 2nd but this is a longer jump in deadline than expected. Wonder what could be the reason for that as most of the work looked under control in Lahore.

Karachi is way behind all other stadiums so maybe that's the reason why the deadline has increased. The project manager stated that the frames of the SMD screens are being built off site so everything is going ok & we just need to transport them to the stadium once the shipment arrives. The frames of floodlights are now installed & in the next step they should be installing lights. The man said it'll take a couple of days but the lights in Lahore have taken more than a month to get installed & the testing isn't finished yet so I don't know what to read in this. The work on parking is ongoing, the initial capacity in the onsite stadium parking was first stated to be 2700 but now has been lowered to 2K. ICC hasn't yet given approval of this parking btw as it is right behind the new pavilion building where players will be sitting during the matches. The other two offsite parking areas are also not being developed as fast as I had initially thought & the pedestrian bridges over the road now seem not feasible/possible. There's a complete coverage ban so information that's coming out is sporadic & I may be totally wrong in assessing Karachi's progress.

In Pindi they have now started building the VVIP stadium in front of the dressing room which is so weird because there was no point to start this now. They had so many months to complete this & they have delayed it to this point so whoever has come up with the planning here has a lot to answer. This is giving major Pakistan playing the super over vibes

But, according to senior “journalists” in Pakistan, everything is “all set”.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

GSL is looking a lot better and tidier at the boundary. That rusty roof looked really bad in the broadcasts.

Are they able to add another tier after CT? Pakistan needs atleast 1 50k stadium. Perhaps it will be built in Islamabad?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Champions Trophy Stadiums In A Mess In Pakistan, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice Steps Down: Report

International Cricket Council CEO Geoff Allardice has decided to step down just weeks before the Champions Trophy with a board member indicating that his failure to present a "clear picture" of host Pakistan's lack of preparedness is one of the multiple reasons behind the move. The 57-year-old joined the ICC in 2012 as General Manager of Cricket, coming from Cricket Australia, where he served as Cricket Operations Manager. He was appointed CEO of the ICC in November 2021, after having served as acting CEO for eight months.

"It has been a privilege to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council and I am incredibly proud of the results we have achieved, from enhancing the global reach of cricket to the commercial foundation put in place for ICC Members," Allardice said in a statement.

"I believe this is the right time for me to step down and pursue new challenges," he added.

The official ICC statement made no mention of the exact reasons for Allardice's departure but a top source said the development has been building up for a while.

"The ICC T20 World Cup in the US was big a flop in terms of playing conditions and also it exceeded budget, the auditing is still being done," the board member told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"What broke the camel's back was Champions Trophy where as CEO, he was supposed to give a clear picture about readiness of Pakistan to host a tourney of such magnitude," he added.

The Champions Trophy is due to start on February 19 with India playing its share of matches in Dubai owing to security concerns in Pakistan.

The bigger concern for ICC is, however, the fact that tournament venues in Karachi and Rawalpindi are still partially under construction or renovation and the images that have trickled in from there do not paint a very positive picture.

It remains to be seen whether Pakistan would be ready in time for the marquee event, which features the world's top eight teams and is being held for the first time after 2017.

However, ICC Chair Jay Shah praised Allardice for his contribution to the game.

"On behalf of the ICC Board, I want to sincerely thank Geoff for his leadership and commitment during his tenure as Chief Executive. His efforts have played a key role in advancing cricket globally.

"We are truly grateful for his service and wish him all the very best in his future endeavors," he said.

The ICC Board will now begin the process to identify Allardice's successor.

Champions Trophy Stadiums In A Mess In Pakistan, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice Steps Down: Report | Cricket News

Geoff Allardice has decided to step down just weeks before the Champions Trophy

sports.ndtv.com

 

[Savak]

PCB have gone about this whole thing in a highly unprofessional manner. The fact that the stadiums will likely be complete just in time for the tournament is not an acceptable way to do this. Why did they leave it so late? This should have been done months before the start of the tournament. Even when they announced this project everyone questioned if it could be completed in time.

Mohsin Naqvi is not to blame, the previous PCB chairman's i.e. Ehsan Mani, Ramiz Raja, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf are to blame as they knew full well that the ICC awarded the CT to Pakistan in 2025 and they did nothing for infrastructure. What Mohsin Naqvi has been able to achieve in 6-7 months when work on the stadiums began day and night is nothing short of a miracle.

 

[Savak]

The PCB wasted and lost 1-2 months in the feasibility planning, initially they wanted to give the Project to NESPAK but they then invited foreign vendors responsible for Stadium construction in the UK and Dubai.

 

[tahir_dj]

Champions Trophy Stadiums In A Mess In Pakistan, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice Steps Down: Report

International Cricket Council CEO Geoff Allardice has decided to step down just weeks before the Champions Trophy with a board member indicating that his failure to present a "clear picture" of host Pakistan's lack of preparedness is one of the multiple reasons behind the move. The 57-year-old joined the ICC in 2012 as General Manager of Cricket, coming from Cricket Australia, where he served as Cricket Operations Manager. He was appointed CEO of the ICC in November 2021, after having served as acting CEO for eight months.

"It has been a privilege to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council and I am incredibly proud of the results we have achieved, from enhancing the global reach of cricket to the commercial foundation put in place for ICC Members," Allardice said in a statement.

"I believe this is the right time for me to step down and pursue new challenges," he added.

The official ICC statement made no mention of the exact reasons for Allardice's departure but a top source said the development has been building up for a while.

"The ICC T20 World Cup in the US was big a flop in terms of playing conditions and also it exceeded budget, the auditing is still being done," the board member told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"What broke the camel's back was Champions Trophy where as CEO, he was supposed to give a clear picture about readiness of Pakistan to host a tourney of such magnitude," he added.

The Champions Trophy is due to start on February 19 with India playing its share of matches in Dubai owing to security concerns in Pakistan.

The bigger concern for ICC is, however, the fact that tournament venues in Karachi and Rawalpindi are still partially under construction or renovation and the images that have trickled in from there do not paint a very positive picture.

It remains to be seen whether Pakistan would be ready in time for the marquee event, which features the world's top eight teams and is being held for the first time after 2017.

However, ICC Chair Jay Shah praised Allardice for his contribution to the game.

"On behalf of the ICC Board, I want to sincerely thank Geoff for his leadership and commitment during his tenure as Chief Executive. His efforts have played a key role in advancing cricket globally.

"We are truly grateful for his service and wish him all the very best in his future endeavors," he said.

The ICC Board will now begin the process to identify Allardice's successor.

Champions Trophy Stadiums In A Mess In Pakistan, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice Steps Down: Report | Cricket News

Geoff Allardice has decided to step down just weeks before the Champions Trophy

sports.ndtv.com

Indians are trying day n night to put every blame on Pakistan hosting champions trophy.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

GSL is looking a lot better and tidier at the boundary. That rusty roof looked really bad in the broadcasts.

Are they able to add another tier after CT? Pakistan needs atleast 1 50k stadium. Perhaps it will be built in Islamabad?

Where are you going to bring the people from to fill that?

They might come if you offer a free biryani or something though.

 

[Slim]

Champions Trophy Stadiums In A Mess In Pakistan, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice Steps Down: Report

International Cricket Council CEO Geoff Allardice has decided to step down just weeks before the Champions Trophy with a board member indicating that his failure to present a "clear picture" of host Pakistan's lack of preparedness is one of the multiple reasons behind the move. The 57-year-old joined the ICC in 2012 as General Manager of Cricket, coming from Cricket Australia, where he served as Cricket Operations Manager. He was appointed CEO of the ICC in November 2021, after having served as acting CEO for eight months.

"It has been a privilege to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council and I am incredibly proud of the results we have achieved, from enhancing the global reach of cricket to the commercial foundation put in place for ICC Members," Allardice said in a statement.

"I believe this is the right time for me to step down and pursue new challenges," he added.

The official ICC statement made no mention of the exact reasons for Allardice's departure but a top source said the development has been building up for a while.

"The ICC T20 World Cup in the US was big a flop in terms of playing conditions and also it exceeded budget, the auditing is still being done," the board member told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"What broke the camel's back was Champions Trophy where as CEO, he was supposed to give a clear picture about readiness of Pakistan to host a tourney of such magnitude," he added.

The Champions Trophy is due to start on February 19 with India playing its share of matches in Dubai owing to security concerns in Pakistan.

The bigger concern for ICC is, however, the fact that tournament venues in Karachi and Rawalpindi are still partially under construction or renovation and the images that have trickled in from there do not paint a very positive picture.

It remains to be seen whether Pakistan would be ready in time for the marquee event, which features the world's top eight teams and is being held for the first time after 2017.

However, ICC Chair Jay Shah praised Allardice for his contribution to the game.

"On behalf of the ICC Board, I want to sincerely thank Geoff for his leadership and commitment during his tenure as Chief Executive. His efforts have played a key role in advancing cricket globally.

"We are truly grateful for his service and wish him all the very best in his future endeavors," he said.

The ICC Board will now begin the process to identify Allardice's successor.

Champions Trophy Stadiums In A Mess In Pakistan, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice Steps Down: Report | Cricket News

Geoff Allardice has decided to step down just weeks before the Champions Trophy

sports.ndtv.com

Despicable indian toilet media at it again.

 

[Devadwal]

@GoUgandaCranes no way Pakistan stadium are ready in next one week

Here is the conditions of Karachi cricket ground where concrete structure of Big LED screen yet to start. ( below Photo is from yesterday)

Its take minimum 1 weeks to complete



This building is not Even complete and its main building ( Yesterday Photo)

Lots of work is pending at the Karachi .




In Lahore , has they started works for new main gate where player's will go through stadium ? absolutely no .

PCB is way behind the time .

PCB is run by incompetent people's but yea people are blaming india / BCCI

 

[Vikram1989]

PCB is way behind the time .

PCB is run by incompetent people's but yea people are blaming india / BCCI

This is one hell of a shameless job by pcb.no wonder heads of icc rolled on.pcb and pp can blame anyone but all Pcb's ineptness, corruption, incompetence, mismanagement is laid bare out in open

 

[Devadwal]

This is one hell of a shameless job by pcb.no wonder heads of icc rolled on.pcb and pp can blame anyone but all Pcb's ineptness, corruption, incompetence, mismanagement is laid bare out in open

They are hiding the reality and now are in panicking mode .

Fired all the ICC incompetent official's who gave green light to the ICC champion trophy in pakistan even grounds are not ready just 20 Day before the tournaments.

 

[Vikram1989]

They are hiding the reality and now are in panicking mode .

Fired all the ICC incompetent official's who gave green light to the ICC champion trophy in pakistan even grounds are not ready just 20 Day before the tournaments.

Icc should have added Dubai as co host for worst scenario.they made sure no back up plan to rely on and made mess in every context trusting pcb blindly on competency level.

 

[Devadwal]

Icc should have added Dubai as co host for worst scenario.they made sure no back up plan to rely on and made mess in every context trusting pcb blindly on competency level.

Some of ICC officials ( Including recently resigned person,he was sacked by Jay shah) are taking money( Wasim Khan is behind This) from the PCB to hide the reality and gave the green single.

This is Just starting, lot's of resignation will come before the champion trophy.

@Rajdeep

 

[BouncerGuy]

India don't have to worry about games here. they don't have to play on these grounds...

 

[Devadwal]

India don't have to worry about games here. they don't have to play on these grounds...

This is ICC champions trophy not any bilateral series of pakistan .

Pakistan is just hosting this tournament nothing more than that, Pakistan fans are thinking that champion trophy is only Pakistan tournament lol

Indian can share their view/ Concerns as this is global ICC tournaments

 

[BouncerGuy]

This is ICC champions trophy not any bilateral series of pakistan .

Pakistan is just hosting this tournament nothing more than that, Pakistan fans are thinking that champion trophy is only Pakistan tournament lol

Indian can share their view/ Concerns as this is global ICC tournaments

sure.. share your view but don't get too much carried away and get depressed because of it...

 

[Devadwal]

sure.. share your view but don't get too much carried away and get depressed because of it...

Why should i get depressed because PCB and Some of ICC officials are incompetent to organized a proper tournament .

All the deadlines are passed. First deadline was 31 December to complete the grounds ,than increase to 15 January to 25 than 25 to 30 January and now last deadline is increased to 5 February.

This is icc tournaments or any gully mohalla tournaments??

All the responsible person's in this fiasco should be sacked by Jay Shah .

 

[BouncerGuy]

ICC Champions Trophy Tournament: Upgradation work of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium's main pavilion and media boxes

Chair installation in enclosures in final stages

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi visits Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and reviewed progress on upgradation project.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi inspects various parts of the stadium, including the pavilion, media boxes, and VIP boxes and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the upgradation project

Renovation work of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has entered the final stages, says Mohsin Naqvi

Renovation of the main pavilion and media boxes has been completed, says Mohsin Naqvi

Chair installation is in the final stages and will be completed in a few days, says Mohsin Naqvi

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also reviewed the proposed security arrangements for the teams

After a long time, an ICC tournament is being held in Pakistan, says Mohsin Naqvi

All preparations are complete for the successful hosting of the mega event, says Mohsin Naqvi

We will make the Champions Trophy event memorable, says Mohsin Naqvi

Hopefully, cricket fans will get to see the best cricket, says Mohsin Naqvi

3 matches of the Champions Trophy, starting February 19, will be played at Rawalpindi Stadium

On February 24, Bangladesh will play New Zealand, on February 25, Australia will play South Africa, and on February 27, Pakistan will play Bangladesh.

View attachment WhatsApp Video 2025-01-29 at 09.19.51_d4cb78a5.mp4

 

[Slim]

Why should i get depressed because PCB and Some of ICC officials are incompetent to organized a proper tournament .

All the deadlines are passed. First deadline was 31 December to complete the grounds ,than increase to 15 January to 25 than 25 to 30 January and now last deadline is increased to 5 February.

This is icc tournaments or any gully mohalla tournaments??

All the responsible person's in this fiasco should be sacked by Jay Shah .

Dont sweat it buddy, enjoy your match in the soul-less dubai and hopefully your team can pack their bags after the group stage.

 

[Punjab Kings]

Champions Trophy stadiums are in Pakistan.... Bhakts have nothing to do with it.....as they are not visiting Pakistan..... Then why this rona dona..... What problem bhakts have regarding stadiums in Pakistan.....

Simply Bhakts can't digest the truth that Pakistan will host champions Trophy....

 

[Devadwal]

Dont sweat it buddy, enjoy your match in the soul-less dubai and hopefully your team can pack their bags after the group stage.

I know dep inside its hurting pakistan fans badly knowing pakistan reputation is in danger due to incompetent of PCB .

Dar ka mahol hai including PCB.

But dil ko behlane ke liye toda face pe hasi la skate ho .

So you can blame india / BCCI to make you feel happy. Lol

 

[ChennaiFan]

I know dep inside its hurting pakistan fans badly knowing pakistan reputation is in danger due to incompetent of PCB .

Dar ka mahol hai including PCB.

But dil ko behlane ke liye toda face pe hasi la skate ho .

So you can blame india / BCCI to make you feel happy. Lol

Are you sure? Pakistan never hosted an ICC tournament in this century and they don't have any reputation. The PCB is incompetent and are struggling to make these facilities ready. Yes, it is a troubling situation, but let us have some compassion for their fans.

 

[baba ghazi]

Less than a month left still construction works are going there.

This is embarassing for PCB but pakistan fans as usual denied it .

i mean what should fans do at the moment..construction has sped up and it will be ready before the champions trophy..dont now what you expects fans to do at the moment..creating negativity before the tournament will also not help..

 

[aqeelPK]

Where are you going to bring the people from to fill that?

They might come if you offer a free biryani or something though.

Most of the matches went sold out on the very first day of the tickets sale despite very high pricing.

 

[Devadwal]

Are you sure? Pakistan never hosted an ICC tournament in this century and they don't have any reputation. The PCB is incompetent and are struggling to make these facilities ready. Yes, it is a troubling situation, but let us have some compassion for their fans.

See the above Post in This thread some delusion pakistan fans blamed BCCI/ india .

India/ BCCI has nothing to do with this fiasco .

It PCB who are incompetent so does some ICC officials who gave green light although pakistan stadium are not ready as per ICC guidelines .

i mean what should fans do at the moment..construction has sped up and it will be ready before the champions trophy..dont now what you expects fans to do at the moment..creating negativity before the tournament will also not help..

 

[emranabbas]

Mohsin Naqvi is not to blame, the previous PCB chairman's i.e. Ehsan Mani, Ramiz Raja, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf are to blame as they knew full well that the ICC awarded the CT to Pakistan in 2025 and they did nothing for infrastructure. What Mohsin Naqvi has been able to achieve in 6-7 months when work on the stadiums began day and night is nothing short of a miracle.

Many Pakistanis are hoping that the stadiums aren’t completed on time, and some, deep down, might even be wishing for a mishap during the game just to see Pakistan embarrassed on the international stage giving them a chance to point fingers at the current government while conveniently ignoring the roles of Ehsan Mani and Ramiz Raja.

What Naqvi has accomplished in just 6–7 months is nothing short of a miracle, especially considering that a whole month was wasted debating whether the Champions Trophy would even be held in Pakistan.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Dont turn this thread into a political battleground.

STay on topic

 

[RidiculousMan]

It is so pathetic that Gaddafi Stadium will not have a roof

 

[Pakpak]

Mohsin Naqvi is not to blame, the previous PCB chairman's i.e. Ehsan Mani, Ramiz Raja, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf are to blame as they knew full well that the ICC awarded the CT to Pakistan in 2025 and they did nothing for infrastructure. What Mohsin Naqvi has been able to achieve in 6-7 months when work on the stadiums began day and night is nothing short of a miracle.

As noone believed it'd actually be hosted in Pakistan.

Though yiure right we should have refurbished our grounds ages ago.

Funny though you're Sethis biggest fan and can't stop telling everyone how great the parchi is

 

[BouncerGuy]

Update on upgradation of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

• Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi visited Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, reviewed the progress of the project

• Inspected various parts of the stadium including pavilion, media box and VIP boxes

Rawalpindi, 29 January 2025:

The upgradation work of main pavilion and media boxes of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been completed while installation of chairs in enclosures is in final stage. Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi visited Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and was briefed on the upgradation work.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi inspected various parts of the stadium including pavilion, media box, VIP boxes and observed the finishing work. Chairman PCB expressed satisfaction over the progress on the upgradation project.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi also reviewed the proposed security arrangements for the teams. He said that an ICC tournament is being held in Pakistan after a long time and all preparations are complete for the mega event.

The ICC Champions Trophy is set to begin from 19 February, with three matches to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. At this venue, Bangladesh will play New Zealand on 24 February, Australia to play against South Africa on 25 February while the hosts Pakistan will take on Bangladesh at the same venue on 27 February.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Champions Trophy 2025: 'Absolutely Impossible' For Pakistan To Complete Renovation Of Venues Within Deadline
Will Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) miss the deadline to complete renovation work currently underway at venues slated to host Champions Trophy 2025? If a report is to be believed, then it appears “absolutely impossible" that the PCB will be able to do so further heightening the concerns around their readiness for the marquee event.

Eight teams are slated to take part in the tournament which is returning for the first time since 2017.

As per Pakistan’s English daily Dawn, “it seems absolutely impossible to contemplate the renovation work being completed within the deadline, but the personnel handed the responsibility are beaming with confidence."

Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi are the three venues across which the matches of Champions Trophy will be played. Indian team will play their matches in Dubai as per the Hybrid model.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi inspected the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday and insists that the board will get control of the renovated venues by January 31 deadline.

Prior to the Champions Trophy, Pakistan will also host a tri-series featuring New Zealand and South Africa starting February 8. The first two games will be played in Lahore while two matches, including the final, in Karachi.

“Look, the stadiums will be in a shape to host matches but the question is the PCB has promised everyone a world-class experience at these renovated venues for the Tri-series and Champions Trophy and whether they can deliver on that promise remains to be seen," news agency PTI quoted a source, who is following the construction work, said.

Bilal Chohan, the man responsible for the renovation work, is reportedly complaining about not getting required equipment and clearances on time to complete the work in Karachi.

The panels to be installed on the new building were to be released from the Karachi Port only on Sunday night, with its installation scheduled for the next morning.

“These are the kind of things we are dealing with, but sometimes it’s sad to see people bashing us," Chohan complained.

The PCB has spent around PKR 12 billion on renovation, constructions and installation of equipment at all three venues in Lahore and Karachi.

Tickets have already gone on sale but until the PCB announces they have possession of the new-look stadiums, concerns will remain.

On Tuesday, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice resigned with a board member of the world body indicating that his failure to give a clear picture of Pakistan’s preparedness was among the reasons for his departure.

Champions Trophy 2025: 'Absolutely Impossible' For Pakistan To Complete Renovation Of Venues Within Deadline - News18

Media reports claim that the Pakistan Cricket Board is likely to miss the deadline to finish the renovation of stadiums for the next month's Champions Trophy.

www.news18.com

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Most of the matches went sold out on the very first day of the tickets sale despite very high pricing.

Yet many freeloaders will be filling them.

 

[Devadwal]

Most of the matches went sold out on the very first day of the tickets sale despite very high pricing.

No. Maybe only Online tickets( Half) are sold out .

but half will be available physically from TCS Shop's from 3rd February .

Yet many freeloaders will be filling them.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Mohsin Naqvi is not to blame, the previous PCB chairman's i.e. Ehsan Mani, Ramiz Raja, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf are to blame as they knew full well that the ICC awarded the CT to Pakistan in 2025 and they did nothing for infrastructure. What Mohsin Naqvi has been able to achieve in 6-7 months when work on the stadiums began day and night is nothing short of a miracle.

This post is not factual at all. For starters, let me share a screenshot for the reigns of various PCB chiefs



Ramiz's reign was tom foolery as a whole but he managed to somehow bag an ICC event & Mani has to get credit for that as he added some much needed credibility to PCB in his tenure. The political instability during Ramiz's reign also absolves him from this & then both were deposed so we can't square the blame on them.

The next 2 people did diddly squat during their tenure & are solely to be blamed for the delay in stadium renovations.

This stadium renovation work is a collaboration of many people & the credit should be shared by them all. I do believe that the speech on inauguration of Lahore Stadium by the current PM will point towards the people who should be credited for this. & I also firmly believe watching the progress that Lahore stadium will be a sight to behold once it's complete which may happen soonish.

 

[Bhaijaan]

*Fellow Bharatiya Cricket Fans*

I urge you all to please be supportive and kind as the event is just weeks away and refrain from constant negative talk and mocking behaviour. I have also been frustrated by the delays in stadium renovations in Pakistan and I didn’t hold back in calling out the PCB for their inefficiencies. I also made funny comments till a point but there always has to be a limit.

As the tournament draws closer, I have taken a step back and reflected on what this event truly means not just for Pakistan, but for world cricket as a whole. After more than a decade, Pakistan is getting the opportunity to host a major ICC event. For their fans, players, and cricketing community, this is more than just a tournament; it is a moment of pride as top quality international cricket makes a return to their venues.

You all made your point, we heard you, I think we all are knowledgable enough to understand where things stand. I think it’s time to rest your case, set aside the banter and celebrate this tournament as true lovers of the game.

We belong to Bharat. Our country lives, breathes, eats Cricket. When we speak it carries a lot of weight because of the country we belong to in context of cricket. Let’s not use our voice for this sort of low level trolling.

I thank you all for your understanding and support in advance.

Good luck to Pakistan cricket fans for the Champions Trophy!