The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given an update on the preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy as it is in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Recent reports state that preparations for the landmark event in Pakistan are far from ideal, leaving the International Cricket Council (ICC) worried.
The ICC faced a similar situation last year during the T20 World Cup in the USA. The governing body has had to deal with an infrastructure mess in the US and could find itself in a similar spot ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Renovation work on Pakistan's three stadiums – National Stadium in Karachi, Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – was supposed to be completed by 31 December.
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However, the work is nowhere near completion and the PCB is now in a race against time to hand over the seats to the ICC by February 12. A report in the Times of India said an ICC team would be leaving for Pakistan later this week to do a status check.
At the same time, the governing body also started discussing the contingency plan in case the PCB fails to complete the work on time. In this case, the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could be shifted to the UAE.
PCB gives an update on ICC Champions Trophy preparations:
With the ICC unhappy with the pace at which renovation work is going on at the stadium, the PCB has given an update. In a statement, the board said preparations are in full swing and all three stadiums are nearing completion to host the tournament matches.
The board also said that all upgrade work is progressing program and would be completed before or around the set deadlines. In the same statement, the PCB also confirmed that the ODI tri-series with New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa was moved to Karachi and Lahore. The series was originally scheduled to take place in Multan.
“This decision reflects PCB's confidence in the preparation of these upgraded venues and their ability to provide a world-class experience for players, officials and fans alike. More details about the series will be shared in due course,” the PCB said.
PCB update on each stadium:
For Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore:
- The capacity has been increased to 35,000 with new seats installed throughout the venue.
- 480 state-of-the-art LED lights installed.
- Two giant digital replay screens will be installed next week.
- The stadium is to be inaugurated in the last week of January.
- Created a brand new player and officials hospitality precinct that will be operational by January 25th.
For Karachi National Stadium:
- Creation of a new hospitality precinct for players and officials at the University End.
- 350 LED lights installed
- Fixed two digital replay screens.
- 5,000 new seats installed.
For Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium:
- The stadium is undergoing minor retouching.
- Focus on the installation of 10,000 new seats, upgrades to the hospitality boxes and the installation of two digital playback screens.
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