Pakistan Faces Challenges in Preparing Stadiums for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

With significant construction delays, the PCB races to meet new deadlines as ICC monitors progress and contingency plans emerge.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is behind schedule on the renovation and construction of three stadiums—Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi's National Bank Stadium, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium—set to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The PCB has shifted an upcoming tri-series involving Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand to Lahore and Karachi to expedite preparations for the Champions Trophy, originally scheduled to take place in Multan.
The ICC has expressed concerns about the readiness of the venues, with reports highlighting incomplete work on seating, floodlights, playing surfaces, and hospitality enclosures.
Over 250 workers are reportedly working around the clock to meet the revised January 25 deadline for stadium upgrades, with the PCB assuring that the facilities will be ready in time for the tournament starting February 19.
India will play all its matches in Dubai due to prior arrangements, while Pakistan is set to host 10 group matches and possibly the final, depending on India's qualification status.