Uncertainty surrounds the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) ability to hand over the stadiums in Karachi and Lahore to the International Cricket Council (ICC) ahead of the eagerly awaited Champions Trophy, set to return after an eight-year hiatus.
With the tournament slated to begin on February 19, the National Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore remain under construction. This ongoing work has placed the ICC and PCB under significant pressure to ensure the tournament proceeds as planned despite the current infrastructural challenges.
A report by a leading publication reveals that the stadiums are undergoing extensive construction rather than minor renovations or refurbishments, raising additional concerns about whether the projects will be completed in time. According to the report, the PCB has committed to handing over the venues to the ICC by February 12. To monitor progress, an ICC delegation is expected to visit Pakistan soon.
Amid these developments, the report hints at informal discussions within the ICC regarding a contingency plan if the PCB fails to meet its deadlines. One possible alternative could involve relocating the entire tournament to Dubai, a move that underscores the gravity of the situation.
Condition of Pakistan cricket stadiums:
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) January 8, 2025
Less than a month left for Champions Trophy and nothing's even 50% ready.
AFG, AUS, SA & ENG will play their matches here, so good luck to their fans, players and journalists. pic.twitter.com/p6ZynuAajI
“It’s a no-brainer on what would happen if PCB misses deadlines and venues don’t meet ICC checklist. Tournaments 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,” an unnamed source remarked, encapsulating the precariousness of the situation.
Well, PCB needs a miracle now.
