The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dismissed media reports suggesting that the redevelopment of three stadiums intended for the upcoming Champions Trophy might not be finished on time. The PCB clarified that only bilateral Test matches and domestic competitions could be impacted. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, National Stadium in Karachi, and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium are undergoing renovations for the tournament scheduled from February 19 to March 9 next year. Current construction activities could disrupt Pakistan's bilateral commitments this season, including the Test match against England in Karachi. The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh has already been moved from Karachi to Rawalpindi.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi addressed the media after inspecting the Gaddafi Stadium renovations in Lahore on Monday, stating that significant work remains as none of the stadiums currently meet international standards. "It is disheartening that certain media outlets have misinterpreted PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks," the PCB stated in a Tuesday release. "The PCB Chair explicitly mentioned that the redevelopment and redesign of the three specified stadiums will be completed as planned, guaranteeing their readiness to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025." Although some domestic matches might need to be rescheduled to allow for continuous construction, this does not affect the ICC Champions Trophy, which remains a top priority for the PCB as a major eight-team international event.
The PCB has also engaged UK's BDP Pattern to enhance the infrastructure of its cricket stadiums, as announced by the architecture firm on Tuesday. Pakistan triumphed in the last edition of the Champions Trophy held in England in 2017, which was subsequently discontinued due to a crowded sports calendar. However, it is being reintroduced with the ICC aiming to host a significant event annually.
