The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has clearly said that they did not agree with some news stories that said the dates for the next year’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan could be changed.
“It’s sad that some news sources have not told the truth about what PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi said in a meeting with reporters yesterday. They wrongly said he talked about changing the dates for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 because of safety worries, which made a big deal out of nothing,” the statement on their website said.
This update comes just a few days after the PCB announced that Pakistan’s second Test match against Bangladesh, originally planned to begin on August 30, has been moved from Karachi to Rawalpindi. This change was made because large construction machinery is being used, and strict schedules must be followed for the renovation of the National Bank Stadium. The stadium is being readied for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, after discussing with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, chose to relocate the second ICC World Test Championship match to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
“In a discussion shared on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s official YouTube channel, the PCB Chair confirmed that the renovation and redesign of the three chosen stadiums will be finished on time, making sure they are ready for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” the statement continued.
“The PCB Chair also noted that some local games might have to be moved to allow for continuous construction work, but this does not affect the ICC Champions Trophy. The tournament is still a top priority for the PCB as a major international event with eight teams,” he explained.
Pakistan is set to play two Test matches against Bangladesh before focusing on their series against England in October. The second Test against England is planned to be held in Karachi.
However, since the Bangladesh match has been relocated from Karachi, there are indications that the England matches might also be moved. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet confirmed any changes.
The PCB has expressed its dedication to hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at three prominent venues in Pakistan, aiming to provide an exceptional experience for cricket enthusiasts. They have already shared a preliminary schedule with the International Cricket Council (ICC), covering the period from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
