The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, rejected the reports asserting that the schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, may undergo tweaks.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday, on the sidelines of his visit to Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore to analyze the renovation process of the venue, addressed the media and discussed the below-par conditions of the stadiums in the country.
He admitted that none of the stadiums in Pakistan are on par with international standards but emphasized that the renovation of the stadiums will be completed in time for the Champions Trophy 2025.
However, some media outlets, primarily from India, misinterpreted the PCB chief’s remarks and quoted him saying that the Champions Trophy, supposed to be held in Pakistan, may be rescheduled.
“God willing, the Champions Trophy will indeed take place in Pakistan. Match dates may shift, but the PCB is actively coordinating with security agencies,” an Indian news outlet InsideSport quoted Naqvi.
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Meanwhile, PCB issued a clarification statement regarding their chairman’s recent media talk and highlighted that Naqvi expressed readiness for the multi-national tournament.
“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 change of dates for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to security concerns, thus creating unnecessary sensationalism,” clarified PCB in a statement.
“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.”
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