The International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation conducted a detailed inspection of the renovation at the National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday (January 9). The visit comes after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) missed their own deadline. For the uninformed, the PCB had claimed that the renovations of three venues of the ICC Champions Trophy will be completed by December 31.
ICC delegation in Karachi
Not only has that deadline passed, but it’ll take a minimum of two more weeks for the construction in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore to be completed. With around 6 weeks left for the Champions Trophy 2025 to kick off (February 19) in Karachi, the five-member ICC delegation reached Karachi.
The delegation inspected the under-construction five-story building, the media center, and gallery and conference hall amenities, among other things. They did this while capturing images and shooting videos. Reports have suggested that if the renovations aren’t done by February 12, the ICC will shift the Champions Trophy 2025 to the UAE.
PCB confident on hosting ICC Champions Trophy
After the visit, a PCB confirmed that the renovations are going as planned and all things will be in order by the end of the first week of February. “All the work (related to stadiums) will be done by the first week of February,” a PCB official told IANS. Confident of themselves, the PCB also shifted the venues of their tri-series with South Africa and New Zealand from Multan Cricket Stadium to National Stadium in Karachi and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Schedule
| Date | Team A | Team B | Venue | Timing (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 19 | Pakistan | New Zealand | Karachi | 2:30 |
| February 20 | Bangladesh | India | Dubai | 2:30 |
| February 21 | Afghanistan | South Africa | Karachi | 2:30 |
| February 22 | Australia | England | Lahore | 2:30 |
| February 23 | Pakistan | India | Dubai | 2:30 |
| February 24 | Bangladesh | New Zealand | Rawalpindi | 2:30 |
| February 25 | Australia | South Africa | Rawalpindi | 2:30 |
| February 26 | Afghanistan | England | Lahore | 2:30 |
| February 27 | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Rawalpindi | 2:30 |
| February 28 | Afghanistan | Australia | Lahore | 2:30 |
| March 1 | South Africa | England | Karachi | 2:30 |
| March 2 | New Zealand | India | Dubai | 2:30 |
| March 4 | Semi-final 1 | Dubai | 2:30 | |
| March 5 | Semi-final 2 | Lahore | 2:30 | |
| March 6 | Reserve Day | |||
| March 9 | Final | Lahore/Dubai | 2:30 | |
| March 10 | Reserve Day | 2:30 | ||
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