Raipur
Win Projections to be updated soon
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is confident that Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi will be prepared in time to host the Champions Trophy next year, despite ongoing construction potentially affecting their scheduled matches this season, such as the Test against England in Karachi.
England is set to play their second Test of the series in Karachi from October 15-19. Despite announcing the change in venue for the Bangladesh Test to Rawalpindi, the PCB has not confirmed Karachi as the venue for the England Test.
“At this stage, we are not speculating on hosting the second Test in Karachi from 15-19 October and will continue to work closely with construction experts to ensure a safe environment for the match, while keeping the England and Wales Cricket Board informed,” the statement read.
Naqvi confirmed the reasons behind the venue change on Monday, stating, “We believed we could host matches without spectators, but security institutions advised against hosting a match during renovation work.”
“None of our stadiums could meet international standards. Neither the seating, nor the facilities, and the distant view make it seem like you are watching from 500 meters away.”
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi
Following reports suggesting a change in Champions Trophy venues or dates, the PCB released a statement on Tuesday denying any alterations to the submitted draft schedule.
“In the media talk available on PCB’s official YouTube channel, the PCB chairman clearly stated that the stadiums’ redevelopment and redesign will be completed as planned for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Domestic matches may be shifted temporarily for construction work, but the priority remains the Champions Trophy,” the statement clarified.
Naqvi emphasized the urgency of the renovation work during the media talk, highlighting the stark difference between local stadiums and international standards. He expressed confidence that Lahore and Karachi stadiums will undergo necessary upgrades to be Champions Trophy-ready.
“We have a five-month timeline to ensure completion of the two enclosures at Gaddafi Stadium and the main building. The focus is on meeting this target,” Naqvi explained.
“The stadiums will undergo comprehensive upgrades. Additionally, plans for a new stadium in Islamabad and Abbottabad are underway. We have also requested local authorities to upgrade existing stadiums or hand them over for hosting domestic and international cricket. The goal is to complete these upgrades within the next five months,” he added.
“The New York stadium for the T20 World Cup was completed within the last 10-15 days. We are confident of meeting our timeline well ahead of schedule.”
