PCB finalizes Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi as venues for Champions Trophy 2025 | cricket news

The Pakistan Cricket Board has earmarked Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi as the venues for next year’s Champions Trophy, insisting that a ‘hybrid model’ will be considered to ensure India’s participation. Despite this, the tournament will remain in the country. The Champions Trophy, which was last held in England in 2017, is tentatively expected to be held in February-March next year. India have not yet confirmed participation and there is speculation that the ICC may use a ‘hybrid model’ and hold the country’s matches at a neutral venue if the team does not get government approval to travel. The ICC has already made it clear that it will not ask any member country to disregard government policy.

“We have sent the schedule of matches to be played in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore.

“The ICC security team came and we had a very good meeting. They looked at the arrangements here and we will also share the stadium upgrade plans with them.”

“We are trying to ensure that we host a very good tournament in Pakistan,” Naqvi said.

The PCB is adamant that no changes will be made to the tournament to accommodate India.

Last year, the ‘hybrid model’ of hosting was used in the Asia Cup. The Asian Cricket Council, headed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, scheduled India’s matches in Sri Lanka, even though Pakistan was the official host of the tournament.

Naqvi also admitted that the condition of the three proposed venues in terms of hosting international cricket games is currently sub-standard.

Naqvi said, “If you see Gaddafi (here), it is good but the viewing experience is not good for cricket. There can be football, but not cricket.”

“We need to improve the facilities in the stadiums, where there are some chronic problems. Karachi is in a bad condition. So on May 7, we will finalize the bids from international companies who will come and help us in the design.”

Naqvi concluded, “We are already late but we need to do these upgrades in four-five months. It will be a very tough test but we can do it.”