The start of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is little over two weeks away and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in a race against time to have venues ready for the multi-nation tournament. Renovation work is still underway in Lahore and Karachi but the hosts are optimistic of being ready for the tri-series, involving South Africa and New Zealand, from February 8.
The tri-series was originally scheduled to be played in Multan but the PCB moved them to Lahore and Karachi to test the two facilities before the Champions Trophy.
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) made an exception to their “exclusivity period” – generally three weeks before start of a tournament – when they authorised the PCB to use the venues for tri-series matches.
It is further understood that the support period for the tournament gets underway from February 12 but the global body will only get complete control when the tri-series is done. Similarly, the Dubai venue, which will host all India games, including knockouts if they go the distance, will be available from February 10.
“Hosts may seek approval from ICC for activities to take place in venues within the exclusivity window, PCB has followed the process and the ICC has authorised this for the exclusivity period for testing of the venues. Similarly, Dubai stadium is also being used during the exclusivity period for the ILT20,” said a well-placed source.
The ICC has a strict checklist for the venues and before every tournament, changes, if any, are carried out to ensure it meets the criteria. A lot of signage and branding work is carried out at the venue and the global body oversees the sponsor activations which are required to be in place before the first game of any ICC tournament.
ICC’s teams are constantly keeping a tab on developments in Pakistan and two senior officials returned from an inspection trip last week. General Manager Wasim Khan and Senior Manager (Event Operations) Sarah Edgar did status check of the venues and have shared their observations with relevant teams of the global cricket body.
“Following several inspection visits across all venues, the ICC is satisfied that they are on track for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy,” added the source.
The Champions Trophy gets underway in Pakistan on February 19 and will culminate with the title clash on March 9. It will be played in a hybrid model with India playing all their games, including the knockouts if they qualify, in Dubai.
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