PCB under scrutiny again over ICC Champions Trophy 2025 venue delays

Pakistan is set to host an ICC event for the first time since 1996, with the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled to begin on February 19. The tournament marks a significant milestone for the country, which has not hosted an ICC event in nearly three decades. In preparation for the event, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) embarked on a renovation project for three major venues: Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. The renovation work began in August 2023, with an initial deadline set for December 31, 2024. However, in a recent update, the PCB announced that the completion date for the venue renovations has been extended. The new deadline for the venues to be ready is now set for January 2, 2025. This extension provides the authorities with additional time to ensure that the venues meet the necessary standards for hosting the prestigious Champions Trophy.

Is PCB ready to host ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

The three venues—Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi—are crucial to the success of the tournament, as they will serve as the primary locations for the matches. The PCB's focus on upgrading the facilities reflects the importance of the event and their commitment to providing world-class infrastructure for both players and spectators. As the tournament date approaches, there will be close monitoring to ensure the venues are fully prepared to deliver a memorable and smooth Champions Trophy 2025.

With less than 40 days remaining until the Champions Trophy 2025, doubts are emerging about the readiness of the stadiums, despite the Pakistan Cricket Board's official statement. Former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has voiced his concerns regarding the ongoing preparations, casting a skeptical view on the timely completion of the venues. Chopra expressed his disappointment, highlighting that the venues are still far from the final stages of renovation.

While the PCB had initially set a completion deadline for December 31, 2024, and later extended it to January 2, 2025, the clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting to have the stadiums fully ready. Chopra's comments add to the growing unease, as stakeholders remain uncertain about whether the venues will meet the high standards required for an ICC event of this magnitude.

As the tournament draws closer, the PCB will need to accelerate efforts to ensure that Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi are fully prepared to host the Champions Trophy. The challenge is not just about infrastructure but also ensuring that everything, from pitch conditions to seating arrangements, is ready for international players and fans alike. The next few weeks will be crucial for the PCB to address these concerns and ensure the event runs smoothly.

“The Champions Trophy is supposed to happen, and you were given INR 600 crore to upgrade your venues and invest in infrastructure development. So you start working, and Pakistan did that as well. Then a video came out. It showed that it's not even 'R' of ready. The dressing room, the press box and the corporate box are not ready, and the floodlight job is not completed in some places,” said former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.

"As neither PCB nor any Pakistani outlet has refuted it and the ICC hasn't commented on it, we will assume it's true, and the truth is that one of the ICC deadlines to hand over the grounds has already crossed. If the ICC realistically feels you won't be able to get them ready, they have the right to take away the tournament from you completely," he added. 

Reports suggest that the ICC delegation, which recently visited the renovation sites, did not raise any significant concerns regarding the progress. However, despite these reassurances, footage from the venues paints a different picture. Various areas of the stadiums, including the floodlights, stands, press boxes, and dressing rooms, appear to be still under construction. These visible signs of incomplete work have raised questions about whether the venues will be ready in time for the Champions Trophy 2025.

While the PCB has insisted that the renovations will be finished before the start of the tournament, these clips have caused a stir, casting doubt on the timeline. Essential infrastructure, such as floodlights for night matches, proper seating arrangements, and functional dressing rooms, are crucial for hosting an international event of this stature. The ongoing construction work raises concerns about whether these facilities will meet the required standards. With less than 40 days left for the event, the pressure is mounting for the PCB to ensure that the venues are fully prepared. While the ICC delegation’s feedback may have been positive, the images from the venues serve as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in completing the renovations on time.