Champions Trophy 2025: A five-member delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will arrive in Karachi on Tuesday night to begin a detailed assessment of Pakistans preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The four-day visit, which starts in Karachi and concludes in Lahore, will end on September 21.The ICC delegation will evaluate various facilities across Pakistan, including stadiums, practice grounds, and accommodations. Key discussions with hotel management, where teams and officials will be based, are also planned to ensure that all arrangements meet international standards.Key inspection pointsThe inspection tour will start in Karachi, with the delegation moving to Islamabad on September 20 before heading to Lahore. The final assessment will take place in Lahore before the team departs for Dubai on September 21. The visiting group includes senior ICC officials such as the senior events manager, events manager, security manager, general manager of cricket, and production manager.Notably, ICC security manager David Mucker, head of events Chris Tetley, and pitch consultant Andy Atkinson have already visited Pakistan multiple times this year to monitor progress. However, this latest visit includes some changes in personnel, as several senior ICC officials have resigned recently.Stadium renovation concernsThe ICCs visit comes amid reports that renovations at the three designated venues—National Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore—are behind schedule. Despite these concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains confident that all work will be completed in time for the tournament.The redevelopment of the stadia in Karachi and Lahore is progressing rapidly, and we are confident that construction will be completed on schedule. These upgrades are essential for providing world-class facilities that meet the expectations of modern cricket, said a PCB spokesperson.The spokesperson further emphasized the importance of the renovations, stating, “The improvements will enhance the experience for fans, players, officials, and broadcasters, positioning Pakistan as a world-class destination for international cricket.”Champions Trophy scheduleScheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, the Champions Trophy is expected to feature eight teams. As reported earlier, the ICC has allocated a budget of $65 million for the tournament. A draft schedule has already been submitted by the PCB and is awaiting approval from the ICC. However, the delay in finalizing the schedule is primarily due to uncertainty surrounding Indias participation.Should India choose not to participate in Pakistan, the ICC and PCB may resort to a hybrid model similar to the 2023 Asia Cup, where Indian matches could be held outside Pakistan. The ICC has also prepared a contingency plan to shift some games to alternative venues if needed.
