The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to begin on Feb 19, and it is with great difficulty that the PCB managed to complete the Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi Stadiums for the tournament. That too after missing a few deadlines. For now, the fans, players and ex-cricketers are chuffed over the ‘world-class’ stadiums.
Three Venues to Host Champions Trophy
But then as per a report, the PCB is in the process of making a contingency plan, after the budget for the upgradation of the stadiums shot up by a massive USD 20.4 million. The initial plan for the renovation of these stadiums was 12.3 billion PKR, but then it went up to 18 billion PKR, or INR 561 crore.
All this increase with Team India refusing to travel to Pakistan, and only agreeing to play their matches in Dubai for the Champions Trophy. As per The Dawn, the PCB’s BOG has approved the additional cost. The CFO has also been given an approval of an overdraft over 3 to 6 billion PKR, for the fiscal year budget.
PCB Overspend on Stadium Upgradation
Meanwhile, Karachi is scheduled to host three matches — PAK vs NZ, AFG vs SA, SA vs ENG. Lahore, the biggest stadium in the country will host four matches — AUS vs ENG, AFG vs ENG, AFG vs AUS, and a semi-final. As for Rawalpindi, it will host BAN vs NZ, AUS vs SA, and PAK vs BAN.
On the other hand, India will open their campaign against Bangladesh on Feb 20, followed by India vs Pakistan on Feb 23, and then vs New Zealand on 2nd March.
