Champions Trophy 2025 to Be Shifted to UAE from Pakistan: Reports
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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is facing a major venue crisis. According to reports, Pakistan may lose the hosting rights due to delays in preparing the three selected venues—National Stadium (Karachi), Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore), and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. These stadiums were supposed to be handed over to the ICC by February 12, 2025, but they are still far from ready.
Construction and upgradation work at these venues began in August 2024 and was expected to be completed by December 31, 2024. However, reports indicate that the work is still ongoing, with crucial elements such as floodlights, seating, and outfield preparation yet to be completed.
ICC Concerns Over Delays
The ICC is reportedly unhappy with the current situation. A team is expected to visit Pakistan soon to assess the progress. An anonymous source quoted by The Times of India revealed the challenges faced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“It is disappointing. The stadiums are nowhere close to being ready. Construction, including floodlights, dressing rooms, and outfields, is incomplete. Time is running out, and meeting ICC standards will be tough,” the source said.
The weather in Pakistan is also affecting the pace of construction. “Finishing work is time-consuming, especially for dressing rooms and player enclosures. The weather conditions are not ideal for fast-paced construction,” the source added.
UAE as Backup Venue
Given the current state of the venues, the Champions Trophy 2025 might be shifted to the UAE. Reports suggest that informal discussions about moving the tournament are already underway in Dubai.
If Pakistan fails to meet the ICC’s deadlines and venue requirements, the UAE could become the new host for the Champions Trophy. “The ICC won’t allow games at semi-ready venues. PCB and ICC need to work together to make this happen, but it looks tough,” the source concluded.
The next few weeks will be critical in deciding the tournament’s future. Whether Pakistan can deliver the venues on time or the event moves to the UAE will depend on the progress made in the coming days.
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