As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 draws near, a high-level delegation is scheduled to visit Pakistan to assess preparations for the much-anticipated event, according to a report by Geo News. This delegation, consisting of six members, will include heads and representatives from various departments, and is expected to be the final inspection before the tournament begins.
Previous visits by ICC officials—including pitch consultants, security heads, and event personnel—have already taken place to evaluate the arrangements in Pakistan. This upcoming five-day visit will commence in Rawalpindi and then focus on key venues in Lahore and Karachi.
Meetings with PCB Officials
The delegation will hold meetings with officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to discuss crucial aspects of the tournament, such as the event schedule, practice matches, practice venues, and ticketing logistics. The PCB will provide a comprehensive briefing on the venue upgrades that are being made in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy.
Venues and Upgrades
Three key venues—Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena, Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium, and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium—will host matches involving eight participating teams. According to the PCB’s proposed schedule, all of India’s matches are slated to take place in Lahore. The board has allocated Rs12.80 billion for the upgrades of these three stadiums, ensuring they meet international standards for the high-profile event.
Participation and Security
Apart from India, all other participating teams have previously played in Pakistan. The PCB is confident that India has no valid reason to avoid playing in Pakistan, despite the complex political relationship between the two nations. The proposed dates for the ICC Champions Trophy are from February 19th to March 9th, 2025.
This edition will mark the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year break, with the last tournament taking place in 2017, where Pakistan claimed a historic victory against India in the final.
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