Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issues an official statement on ICC Champions Trophy 2025 rescheduling

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will proceed on the scheduled dates.

The ICC had earlier released the dates of next year's Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to take place from February 19, 2025 to March 9, 2025.

However, some media outlets misinterpreted the statement of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and claimed that the dates of the tournament might be rescheduled due to security concerns and the ongoing reconstruction work at the designated three stadiums of the tournament.

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PCB confirms ICC Champions Trophy 2025 dates will not be rescheduled

In a statement released by the PCB, the board denied the reports of the change in dates for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The PCB slammed the media outlets for misinterpreting Mohsin Naqvi's comments and trying to create unnecessary sensationalism.

“It is disappointing that certain media outlets have misrepresented PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi’s comments from yesterday’s media interaction, misleadingly quoting him on the possibility of a change of dates for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to security concerns, thus creating unnecessary sensationalism," the PCB said in a statement.

The Pakistan Cricket Board also mentioned that Mohsin Naqvi's comments are available on PCB's YouTube channel and it remains committed to hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 on the proposed dates.

“During the media talk, which is available on the PCB’s official YouTube channel, the PCB Chair clearly stated that the redevelopment and redesign of the three designated stadia would be completed on schedule, ensuring readiness to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025."

"The PCB Chair also mentioned that while some domestic matches may need to be shifted to facilitate uninterrupted construction work, this in no way pertains to the ICC Champions Trophy, which remains a priority for the PCB as a premier eight-team international event."

“The PCB is fully committed to hosting a world-class ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at three of Pakistan’s iconic venues, ensuring an unforgettable experience for our passionate cricket fans. In line with this commitment, the PCB has already submitted a draft schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC), with the proposed dates spanning from 19 February to 9 March 2025,” the statement added.

PCB carrying out the upgradation of stadiums

Currently, the PCB is upgrading all three stadiums in preparation for the next year's ICC Champions Trophy. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly traveled to Dubai and took a close look at the world-class stadiums there.

After coming back to Pakistan, he took the onus to carry on the construction work in all three stadiums. The PCB plans to improve the hospitality boxes and the view for fans from every seat of the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore by renovating the hospitality boxes.

The tournament will be hosted by stadiums in three cities in Pakistan - Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. While Rawalpindi and Lahore are situated in the Punjab province of Pakistan, Karachi is located in Sindh province.

Recently, the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh was also shifted to Rawalpindi from Karachi due to the ongoing construction work in the National Stadium, Karachi.

PCB's biggest challenge for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Although the PCB is confident of pulling off the upgradation of the stadiums, the biggest challenge for them is Team India's participation in the tournament. India hasn't traveled to Pakistan since 2008 due to the political tensions between the two nations.

In the past few years, the relations between the two nations have worsened further. The Asia Cup 2023 was scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. However, the refusal of the Indian government to send their cricket team to Pakistan forced the tournament to be hosted jointly by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

As a result, India played all its matches in Sri Lanka, including the final which they won by defeating Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan has traveled to India regularly. Most recently, they arrived in India to play in the ODI World Cup 2023.