An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation has arrived in Karachi, Pakistan for a final round of inspection ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. The six-member delegation landed in Karachi on Tuesday, as per news agency PTI. Pakistan is currently racing against time to put all preparations in place to host the marquee event in February 2025.
ICC delegation arrive in Pakistan to review preparation for CT 2025
As per PTI, top officials of ICC’s Events and Security Departments and the General Manager Cricket and Production Manager are part of the delegation. The tentative schedule is all set to be discussed with the Pakistan Cricket Board during the delegations visit, the report stated. Further, it added that the discussion over the schedule was important as the Indian team is slated to play all its matches in Lahore. The delegation will also discuss the scenario if the Indian government does not permit the team to travel to Pakistan for CT 2025.
“The tentative schedule is important because it involves the Indian team being based in Lahore and playing all their matches in the city,” a well-informed source told PTI.
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After completing the inspection in Karachi, the delegation will visit Islamabad and Lahore to review the preparations. It is pertinent to point out that two out of the three stadiums scheduled to host CT 2025 matches are currently undergoing renovation work, with less than six months left for the tournament. The delegation is also said to recieve a briefing from the country’s security officials over their plans for the arrangements.
Earlier, a report stated that the delegation, during their five-day visit to Pakistan, will also meet with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials to discuss a variety of matters including schedules, practice matches, practice venues, and ticketing.
Will Pakistan be ready in time for CT 2025?
Pakistan are currently racing against time to get the venues ready for Champions Trophy 2025. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is confident that the stadiums will be ready and has promised that the renovation works will be completed as per the timeline set. He has been conducting regular inspections at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore and the National stadium in Karachi, directing officials to complete the works as soon as possible.
