Stadiums in state of disrepair, entire Champions Trophy 2025 to be relocated from Pakistan if....

In only forty days, on February 19, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will get underway in Karachi, Pakistan. The structure of this esteemed competition will be hybrid, and India is anticipated to play all of its matches—including any knockout stages—in Dubai. However, a recent report has uncovered alarming problems with the three stadiums in Pakistan—Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore—that are scheduled to host games. According to the report, one stadium apparently lacks even basic plastering, highlighting a serious lack of development in vital infrastructure. The readiness of the venues for such a significant event is seriously called into question by this.

"It is a very disappointing picture. All three stadiums are far from ready and it's not renovation or refurbishment, but proper construction which is underway. There is so much work left with seats, floodlights, facilities and even the outfield and playing surfaces," a source was quoted as saying by Times of India.

"The weather is not ideal for construction and finishing work to happen at a rapid pace. At Gadaffi, even the plaster work isn't completed yet. And most of the time is taken by finishing work because we are talking about dressing rooms etc. They just can't be random rooms/enclosures for an ICC event. ICC has a checklist which needs to be met. National Stadium has decided to not completely finish the new enclosure because there is no time."

Gaddafi Stadium (yesterday)
Finishing deadline 25 January #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/JcI32tZZ3K

— Sohail Imran (@sohailimrangeo) January 7, 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is usually notified well in advance of the locations of international events by the host nations. This enables quality checks and any necessary arrangements to be carried out by the ICC.

"It's a no-brainer on what would happen if PCB misses deadlines and venues don't meet ICC checklist. Tournament can't be played at semi-ready venues. The next week will give more clarity on the future but PCB and ICC together need to pull off a miracle," the report stated.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has chosen to relocate the forthcoming men's ODI tri-series to Lahore and Karachi, according to an IANS report. This modification occurs when major renovations to both locations are almost complete in anticipation of the 2025 Champions Trophy games.

The tri-series, which was originally scheduled to take place in Multan, will now also feature South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium. The PCB clarified that the decision to move the event was influenced by the status of the improvements at these locations.

Fans, spectators, and the media have been reassured by the PCB in a thorough statement that all upgrading work at both stadiums is proceeding as planned. The board has high hopes that the modifications will be finished by the timeframes set.

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