The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen on successfully hosting next year’s Champions Trophy. Preparations, including stadium renovations, are already underway. To evaluate the host country’s readiness, a delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will visit Pakistan.
The exact nature of next year’s Champions Trophy is still uncertain. There are doubts about whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will send players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to Pakistan. However, Pakistani cricket officials remain confident in their ability to host the tournament.
The ICC delegation is expected to arrive in Pakistan within the next 10 days, according to PCB sources. They will review the preparations for key aspects of the tournament. The ICC representatives may also discuss security arrangements with PCB officials.
A PCB official mentioned to an Indian media outlet, “After the ICC delegation’s visit, the tournament schedule and ticket sales will be announced. There has been a slight delay, but we expect the ICC to make all announcements soon.”
He added, “The preparations are in full swing as per the plan. All necessary renovations of the stadiums are being completed. The rest depends on the ICC; they need to make decisions.”
A few days ago, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated, “The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan. We are in regular contact with the ICC and Jay Shah. We have no concerns about his upcoming role as ICC Chairman.”
Referring to Naqvi’s comments, the PCB official said, “As ICC Chairman, Jay Shah will have the responsibility to ensure participation from all countries. We hope he will perform his duties impartially.”
Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary, is set to take over as ICC Chairman in December. He will become the fifth Indian to hold the top position in the ICC, and as the Champions Trophy is an ICC event, the responsibility of ensuring a successful tournament will rest on his shoulders as well.
