ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Tournament to be moved out of Pakistan? ICC delivers verdict

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly satisfied with the preparations in Karachi and Rawalpindi for the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025. An ICC delegation is in Pakistan to assess the ongoing preparations for the marquee event, scheduled to take place in February next year.

The 5-member team, led by Senior Manager of Events Sarah Edgar, arrived in Pakistan earlier this week. The ICC delegation had a productive meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad, as per a report in Cricket Pakistan. During the meeting, the PCB chief assured the governing body that the remaining work will be completed within the allotted time.

After inspecting the stadiums in Karachi and Rawalpindi, the delegation will be visiting the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The Gaddafi Stadium is the only venue for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 that is yet to evaluated by the ICC. The team is likely to visit the stadium on Saturday (September 21).

The PCB is well prepared to show the preparations to the ICC team. The report stated that the board has planned an extensive briefing for the delegation. In the briefing, the PCB will be highlighting the ongoing upgrade work at the stadium, which includes the LCCA ground where practice sessions for participating teams will be held.

The ICC team will also meet with other officials to assess the security protocols for the tournament. After assessing the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, the delegation would return to Dubai on the same night.

The report also stated that PCB chief Naqvi has confirmed that the ICC delegation was pleased with the security arrangements in Karachi and Rawalpindi. Naqvi also gave assurance to the stakeholders that the PCB is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that the Champions Trophy has world-class facilities.

He emphasized that players will compete in a safe and peaceful environment, with upgraded stadiums providing international-standard facilities, ensuring fans have a memorable experience while supporting all teams in this cricket-loving nation.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule:

According to reports, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be played between February 19 to March 9. The ICC is yet to release the full schedule for the tournament. A total of eight teams will be participating in the competition.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be played across three venues - Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. Karachi is reportedly set to host the opening game on February and will also host one of the semifinals. Rawalpindi will host the other semifinal while the final is set to be played in Lahore.