Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif gives strict warning to Mohsin Naqvi in a public meeting ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given strict instructions to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after the national cricket team's poor performance in the recent ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June. Shehbaz Sharif instructed Mohsin Naqvi to select players and officials based on merit.

Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, failed to advance to the Super 8 stage in the T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Green suffered losses to the United States of America (USA) and India in their first two matches. They won their remaining two matches, but it was not enough to reach the next stages of the tournament.

Pakistan is preparing for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which is set to begin on August 21. Notably, it will be their first series since the T20 World Cup 2024. The selection committee hasn't announced the squad for the series. Shaheen Shah Afridi is expected to miss the matches.

You Should Reform The Cricket Team - Shehbaz Sharif

During a ceremony at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Shehbaz Sharif instructed Mohsin Naqvi to revamp the cricket team with merit-based selections. Sharif said that selections should not be influenced by political or external pressures.

"You should reform the cricket team and choose people based on merit, which is your specialty," Shehbaz Sharif told Naqvi, quoted Cricket Pakistan.

"Even if the prime minister recommends someone which goes against merit, you should politely decline it," he further added.

The report added that the Prime Minister highlighted the need to improve the domestic cricket system. He is also happy with the Gaddafi Stadium's ongoing modernization, adding that the upgrades will meet modern standards.

Gaddafi Stadium completed its demolition work in June. The renovation will move the main building closer to the box area, with hospitality boxes in the front and PCB offices in the back. The stadium will also expand its enclosures on both sides. The PCB made these changes for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan To Host Champions Trophy 2025

The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan from February to March next year. The ICC 50-over tournament will be played across three venues.

A total of eight teams, Pakistan, India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England, and Bangladesh, will compete in the upcoming tournament.

Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore will host the matches. According to the PCB’s proposed schedule to the ICC, India will play all their matches in Lahore.

The PCB allotted PKR 12.80 billion for upgrading Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium.

The PCB wants to host the whole tournament in Pakistan despite the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) being reluctant to travel to the neighboring country.

The event is scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025. It will be the first Champions Trophy since 2017 when Pakistan won the final against India.