The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released an update on the preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy as it finds itself in the limelight for the wrong reasons. Recent reports have suggested that preparations for the event in Pakistan are far from ideal, which has the International Cricket Council (ICC) worried.
The ICC faced a similar situation last year during the T20 World Cup in the USA. The governing body has had to deal with an infrastructural mess in the US and could find itself in a similar spot ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Renovation work on three stadiums in Pakistan – the National Stadium in Karachi, the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – was supposed to be completed by December 31.
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However, the work is nowhere near complete and the PCB is now in a race against time to hand over the premises to the ICC by February 12. A report in the Times of India has stated that an ICC team will go to Pakistan at the end of this week to check the status.
At the same time, the governing body also started discussions on a contingency plan in case the PCB fails to complete the work on time. In that case, the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could be moved to the UAE.
PCB brings the latest information on the preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy:
With the ICC reportedly unhappy with the pace at which the stadium renovation work is progressing, the PCB has released an update. In a statement, the board of directors said that preparations are in full swing and that all three stadiums are nearing completion for hosting tournament matches.
The board also stated that all the upgrade works are progressing schedule and would be completed before or around the set deadlines. In the same statement, the PCB also confirmed that the ODI tri-series which includes New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa has been shifted to Karachi and Lahore. The series was originally supposed to be held in Multan.
“This decision reflects PCB’s confidence in the readiness of these upgraded venues and their ability to deliver a world-class experience for players, officials and fans. Further details regarding the series will be announced in due course,” PCB said.
PCB update for each stadium:
For Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore:
- Spectator capacity has been increased to 35,000 with new chairs installed throughout the venue.
- 480 state-of-the-art LED lights have been installed.
- Two huge digital playback screens will be installed next week.
- The stadium should be officially opened in the last week of January.
- A completely new guest area has been created for players and officials, which will be in operation until January 25.
For Karachi National Stadium:
- Construction of a new catering area for players and officials in the University area.
- Built-in 350 LED lights
- Fixed two digital playback screens.
- 5,000 new chairs installed.
For Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium:
- Stadium under minor repairs.
- Focus on installing 10,000 new chairs, upgrading the hospitality boxes and installing two digital replay screens.
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