LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has promoted three places in the preliminary schedule for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi have been selected by the Cricket Board as venues for the February event.
Although the exact date of the eight-team tournament has not been confirmed, it is expected to last for two weeks. The PCB was placed on the grounds and in order after the arrival of the ICC team for inspection.
According to the report, the initial draft includes all India-related matches played in Pakistan.
Usually, after the host council submits a draft plan, it goes through several revisions by various teams within the ICC. The revised plan is shared with broadcasters and other councils for final review.
The ICC’s next official meeting is the global body’s annual conference in July.
“We have sent the schedule of matches to be played in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy,” said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi at a press conference in Lahore today.
“The ICC security team came and we had a very good meeting. They saw the arrangements here and we will also share with them the plan to update the stadium. We are in regular contact with the ICC. Good tournament in Pakistan.”
Naqvi admitted that there are some delays in the stadium renovation project, but the work is progressing and they will try to complete it in four to five months.
“The modernization of the stadium is progressing quickly. Yes, there are some setbacks, but we are determined to do it as quickly as possible,” he said. “We have three members of the committee, the Director of Infrastructure, the Director of International Cricket, and the rest are domestic cricketers.
He also said that international companies will visit Pakistan on May 7 and contact local consultants to finalize the design of the stadium before the mega event.
“They will help us with the design, then we will work with local consultants and try to implement it in four to five months,” he said.
The event will mark the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year hiatus, the last time in 2017, when Pakistan won the final by defeating India.
Confirmed teams for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan (host), India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England and Bangladesh.
