The schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been announced, with the tournament set to take place under a hybrid hosting model. This decision stems from India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns, prompting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reach a compromise. As part of this arrangement, India and Pakistan will not host each other in ICC events. Consequently, all of India’s matches in the Champions Trophy will be held in Dubai, serving as a neutral venue.
The eight-team tournament is set to kick off on February 18 in Karachi, where hosts Pakistan will face New Zealand. However, with less than two months remaining, Pakistan’s preparations appear to be lagging. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has designated Karachi and Lahore as the primary venues for the event and has received substantial financial support from the ICC to make these facilities tournament-ready. The renovation deadline is December 31, yet various media reports suggest significant delays in progress.
On December 24, a Karachi-based journalist shared a video on X, highlighting the ongoing developments at the National Stadium. The footage revealed the construction of a new building intended to house VIP boxes, alongside plans for new perimeter grills. Despite these efforts, the visible pace of work is alarmingly slow, indicating that much remains to be completed with time running out.
Here is the video:
National Stadium Update For Champions Trophy 2025 🏆 pic.twitter.com/f7eMTPTOcw
— Shahzaib Ali 🇵🇰 (@DSBcricket) December 24, 2024
Additionally, the National Stadium is set to host several matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, but these games will not be televised due to the unavailability of accommodations for broadcasters amidst the ongoing construction.
In Lahore, Gaddafi Stadium is undergoing its own upgrades, including newly constructed stands. However, video evidence from the venue raises concerns about the slow pace of preparation. With construction far from complete, doubts loom over whether the work can be finalized before February 19, the day after the tournament’s scheduled start.
