Less than a month remains for the start of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in a hybrid model with Pakistan and Dubai hosting the matches, but concerns remain over the readiness of the three venues in Pakistan- Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Out of these three venues, the lack of preparedness at Karachi’s National Stadium is a major worry ahead of the 30 January deadline for the handover of stadiums to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is confident that the National Stadium in Karachi will be ready to host matches ahead of the opening clash on 19 February, Bilal Chohan, the stadium’s Project Manager, has complained of not being able to get the required equipment for the completion of renovation.
The panels were to be installed in the new building in Karachi and were scheduled to be transported from the Karachi Port only on Sunday night. The panels were supposed to be installed on Monday morning.
‘Sad to see people bashing us’: Karachi stadium Project Manager Bilal
“These are the kind of things we are dealing with, but sometimes it’s sad to see people bashing us,” news agency PTI quoted Bilal as saying.
According to Pakistan’s English newspaper Dawn, it would be “absolutely impossible to contemplate the renovation work being completed within the deadline, but the personnel handed the responsibility are beaming with confidence.”
A source who has been following the construction work from close quarters said that while the stadiums will be ready in time for the tournament, the question is will PCB be able to provide a world class experience to fans? “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,” the source was quoted as saying by PTI.
The PCB has spent a whopping amount of PKR 12 million for the construction and renovation of all the three venues for the eight-team tournament. While the tickets for matches have gone on sale, there will be concerns until PCB has possessions of the new-look stadiums.
The stadium mess in Pakistan is the reason which reportedly forced Geoff Allardice to resign as ICC CEO.
Karachi is scheduled to host the opening match of the Champions Trophy between Pakistan and New Zealand on 19 February. India will begin their campaign with a Group A match against Bangladesh in Dubai on 20 February, before facing Pakistan at the same venue three days later. India will then take on New Zealand in Dubai on 2 March.
Prior to the Champions Trophy, Pakistan will also host a tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand that will be held from 8 to 14 February. The matches will be held in Lahore and Karachi.
