The International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation recently arrived in Karachi to inspect preparations for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The prestigious tournament, set to commence on February 19, will begin with an opening ceremony at Karachi’s National Stadium, followed by the tournament opener between Pakistan and New Zealand. Notably, Pakistan enters the event as defending champions, adding to the excitement.
A major focus of the inspection is the five-story building under construction at the National Stadium, which is a key component of the tournament’s infrastructure. The delegation, including ICC’s Head of Security David Maskell, Senior Manager of Event Operations Sarah Edgar, and Manager Aun Zaidi, has meticulously reviewed various aspects of the stadium to ensure it meets the high standards required for hosting international cricket.
Additionally, Broadcasting Supervisor Mansoor Minch has assessed broadcasting facilities to guarantee seamless coverage during the event. The Karachi National Stadium will host three matches during the Champions Trophy. Ahead of this, it will also serve as a venue for two matches in the Tri-nation ODI series.
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These matches will act as a precursor, testing the stadium’s readiness for the mega event. The ICC delegation’s visit is part of a broader series of inspections, with similar reviews conducted at venues in Lahore and Rawalpindi. While excitement builds, concerns about stadium readiness have emerged.
An ICC delegation visited the Karachi stadium to review the preparations for the Champions Trophy. The opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place at the National Stadium in Karachi.#ChampionsTrophy2025 #ICC #Karachi #TOKReports pic.twitter.com/sypG1llFPH
— Times of Karachi (@TOKCityOfLights) January 9, 2025
Videos circulating on social media suggest that critical work, such as seating, floodlight upgrades, and even playing surface preparations, remains incomplete. Reports of unfinished plasterwork have further fueled skepticism about whether the venues will be ready in time.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has addressed these concerns, assuring fans and stakeholders that renovations at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Bank Stadium in Karachi are on track. PCB officials remain confident that all venues will meet the required standards before the tournament begins.
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As the countdown to February 19 continues, the deadline for submitting preliminary squads looms. Participating teams have until January 12 to submit initial squads, with final changes permitted until February 11 without ICC approval. The Champions Trophy promises to be a thrilling spectacle, and with Pakistan hosting as defending champions, expectations are sky-high for a memorable tournament.
