The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is quite positive about its ability to host the Champions Trophy next year. This optimism comes as a delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) is scheduled to visit the country on Monday to assess the ongoing preparations for the prestigious tournament.
The visiting delegation, which will include a security expert, will inspect all proposed venues, focusing particularly on Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
This marks Pakistan’s first time hosting an ICC event since co-hosting part of the 1996 World Cup with India.
ICC Delegation to Pakistan Stadiums: PCB
To ensure Pakistan remains the host of the 2025 Champions Trophy, the PCB president stated that the board is ready to tackle any challenges. He also revealed plans for renovations at stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi ahead of the event.
“The delegation will be given briefings on the preparations. They will visit the venues in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi to see the upgrade work we will be carrying out for the Champions Trophy,” said PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday, 25 March.
Last month, a delegation from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) visited Pakistan to assess security and arrangements for their team’s upcoming tour in mid-April for five T20 Internationals.
Naqvi reiterated that the Champions Trophy would proceed as scheduled in Pakistan.
PCB Confident About India’s Participation
When asked about a potential tit-for-tat response if India declined to send its team to Pakistan. Naqvi stated, “Why are we even discussing such possibilities”.
He emphasized the positive outcomes of the Dubai meeting regarding the tournament’s technical aspects and expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to host the event.
“We had a good meeting in Dubai on the tournament and its technical side and as far as we are concerned we see no reason the event would not be held in Pakistan so why even discuss other scenarios,” he added.
Also Read: Pakistan Star All-Rounder Imad Wasim Comes Out of Retirement
India Has Not Toured Pakistan Since 2008
The Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 strained relations between the two countries, leading to a halt in bilateral cricket series. The last time India toured Pakistan was in June-July 2008 for the Asia Cup.
Despite this, Pakistan has participated in various international tournaments hosted by India. Including the 2011 World Cup, the 2016 T20 World Cup, and the recently concluded 2023 World Cup.
Both teams are set to meet again for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled in the USA and West Indies.
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