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The International Cricket Council (ICC) expressed their satisfaction with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 which is set to be played in Pakistan next year.
Preparations were discussed in an ICC meeting on Monday, attended by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Sources informed Geo News that PCB officials assured ICC board members that the upgrades to the three stadiums designated for the marquee event would be finished on schedule.
Naqvi also extended an invitation to ICC board members to visit Pakistan and assess the tournament preparations firsthand. While the Champions Trophy is set to take place next year in Pakistan, there are still some challenges that need to be resolved.
However, there is uncertainty about India going to Pakistan for the marquee event. India has not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup because of tense relationships between both nations because of terrorism.
The last bilateral series between the two countries took place from December 2012 to January 2013 in India. Since then, they have only met in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. Pakistan has made three trips to India since the 2008 Asia Cup. Pakistan last featured in India in the ODI World Cup 2023 where they got out of the tournament following poor performance.
Sports Tak earlier reported that ICC is either looking to have the tournament go ahead in Pakistan as planned or take place in both Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a part of the hybrid model.
As per this hybrid model, matches for India and knockout stage games will take place in Dubai. The third option is the entire tournament, taking place outside Pakistan, with Dubai, Sri Lanka or South Africa as possible hosts.
Pakistan have not hosted any major International Cricket Council (ICC) event since the 1996 ODI World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
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