ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Security arrangements sidelines as ICC raises fresh concern for PCB after visit

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is gearing up to host the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled for February/March next year. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has raised concerns about Pakistan’s preparedness for the ICC 50-over marquee tournament.

The ICC Champions Trophy is set to return after an absence of eight years. England last hosted the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, where Pakistan secured the title by beating India in the final. The Pakistan Cricket Board will be hosting an ICC event for the first time since co-hosting the ODI World Cup in 1996.

ICC Delegation To Give Feedback To Pakistan Cricket Board for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

An ICC delegation recently visited Pakistan to assess the venues and security measures in preparation for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

The group reviewed arrangements at key locations, including Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. The delegation is expected to provide feedback to the PCB.

According to a report by Sports Tak, the ICC has raised concerns about whether the ongoing venue renovations in Pakistan will be completed in time for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The report added that no other major issues are expected apart from the venue upgrades for the eight-team tournament.

"The ICC delegation has visited the facilities and have met officials now they will give the feedback to host board but as far as their satisfaction is concerned there might be some concerns on the venue upgradations other than that I don’t think there should be any issue," a report by Sports Tak said.

PCB Given Deadline Of January 31

The Sports Tak also reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board has to complete venue renovations for the ICC Champions Trophy before January 31.

The report stated that Pakistan has a four-month window to finish upgrades but is in a race against time to complete the enhancement of facilities.

"As of now all scheduled venues are under upgradation and PCB has given a deadline of 31st January to ICC to complete the upgradations. This might be a concern to ICC because the Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played on February 19. This means PCB will have to escalate the upgrade process to meet the deadline. Four months from now to get everything sorted which might be a tough task for Pakistan," the report added.

PCB Allocated PKR 12.5 Billion For Renovation Works

The Pakistan Cricket Board has allocated PKR 12.5 billion for the renovation of three main venues: Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, National Stadium in Karachi, and Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi.

These three stadiums have been proposed by the PCB as the host venues, according to the draft schedule.

The final match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in Lahore, where India is scheduled to play all of its matches. The tournament is tentatively set to begin on February 19.

The PCB has announced a revised schedule for the upcoming three-match Test series against England. The second Test, originally planned for Karachi, will now take place at Multan Cricket Stadium due to ongoing renovations. The schedule for the other two Test matches remains unchanged.

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