Questions Over Readiness of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 Readiness, ICC Gives Special ‘Exception’ To PCB
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is just two weeks away, set to commence on February 19 in Pakistan, yet concerns loom over the country’s readiness to host the event. Viral videos circulating on social media highlight ongoing work at several stadiums, raising questions about their completion. In a notable development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has granted an exception to the usual “exclusivity period” rule, which typically requires venues to be handed over to the ICC three weeks prior to a tournament.
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been allowed to conduct a tri-series involving Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand from February 8-14 in Lahore and Karachi. This arrangement means that the stadiums will only be available for ICC preparations less than a week before the tournament begins. The ICC’s flexibility reflects an understanding of the PCB’s challenges, as significant renovations are still underway at key venues.
An ICC official confirmed that the PCB had followed necessary protocols for activities during this exclusivity window. Meanwhile, Dubai, which will host all India matches, will be available from February 10 due to ongoing ILT20 matches. Despite these logistical hurdles, the ICC remains optimistic about the venues’ readiness following several inspections.