ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohsin Naqvi orders formation of committees to fast-track preparations

As per reports, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has ordered an urgent establishment of committees to ensure flawless preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be held in Pakistan next year in February-March.

Naqvi reviewed some key aspects of the preparations, including the ongoing upgradation work in the stadiums that will be the hosts of the Champions Trophy. A final decision to establish various committees was taken at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Lahore.

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Mohsin Naqvi orders the establishment of committees for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the urgency of the committee formation which will help in the smooth running of the operations. He spoke on the need to have clear roles and responsibilities to begin the preparations which will help the tournament run flawlessly.

Some key Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials like Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, Chief Financial Officer Javed Murtaza, and all the PCB directors were also involved in the meeting.

"With the world's top teams participating, our arrangements need to be flawless. Once the renovations are done, spectators will enjoy the matches even more," Naqvi said.

Mohsin Naqvi on the successful organization of the Champions Cup

Mohsin Naqvi also shared his views on the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup and expressed the pleasure shown by the fans in Faisalabad for the tournament. Currently, five teams are competing with each other in Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad for the Champions One-Day Cup.

Not only the domestic players, but Pakistan's top international players are also playing in the tournament. The tournament has just one match left now with the final between Markhors and Panthers to be held on September 29.

The PCB chief also claimed that Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches can take place in Faisalabad in the future given the craze of the spectators.

The PCB is also waiting for a final schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy from the International Cricket Council. The PCB has already submitted the provisional bookings and the ICC is expected to provide a final schedule by October end.

Mohsin Naqvi to discuss India's participation with Jay Shah

Mohsin Naqvi is also expected to meet the newly elected ICC Chairman Jay Shah during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 final in Dubai. The PCB chairman is likely to discuss India's participation in the Champions Trophy 2025.

While all the other teams have ensured their participation in the tournament, the BCCI hasn't yet confirmed India's participation. The BCCI has stated that India's participation depends upon the approval of the government of India to travel to Pakistan.

India last traveled to Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup. Since then, the strained political relations between the two countries have resulted in very few matches between them. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was in 2013 when Pakistan travelled to India for a T20I and an ODI series.

Since then, both the teams have only faced each other in Asia Cups and ICC tournaments. While India hasn't traveled to Pakistan since 2008, Pakistan has been traveling to India for ICC tournaments. They most recently traveled to their neighboring country for the ODI World Cup 2023.