They thought maybe that would not come true. Seems that is indeed the case, as the PCB is still neck-deep working against time to complete construction of all the new stadiums needed for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The ICC reportedly threw a bone to the PCB in a new twist of the tale to help on their mission.
In less than two weeks, eight teams will compete in the ICC tournament-the first since 2017.
The PCB has spent almost PKR 12 billion in renovations, construction, and installation of equipment at all three venues in Lahore and Karachi. And yet, it has been hard to stick to the “exclusive period” set by the ICC, whereby all facilities shall be ready three weeks in advance before the commencement of a main event.
With only just above two weeks to go, the ICC now offers assistance by allowing usage of the new stadiums for their upcoming tri-series matches involving South Africa and New Zealand from February 8 thereby automatically extending the deadline.
The 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will be played from February 19 to March 9 at three venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai.
However, it seems as if not everything is going to plan, as reports loom around no opening ceremony being hosted for the tournament.
Geo Super, a Pakistani media house, in one of its reports stated that the planning for the opening ceremony has been scrapped because of the delays in the arrival of the England and Australian teams in Pakistan.
It has been reported that THE English team will land in Lahore on February 18 to play a three-match ODI series in India before the ICC Champions Trophy, whereas the Australian contingent, currently playing a two-match Test series and two-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, will arrive in Pakistan on February 19.
Because of political tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan; its matches are to be played in Dubai instead.
Yet, the iconic clash of the two teams continues to evoke an unreal pull. Reports state that tickets for India’s much-anticipated group-stage fixture against Pakistan in Dubai went on sale on Monday, and were sold out in minutes.
The interest in the tickets was really quite intense, as over 1,50,000 fans had logged onto online owing to it, and the waiting times exceeded an hour before anyone was able to get past that stage.
India and Australia are the two most successful sides in the Champions Trophy, both of having won it twice. To add some salt to the rivalry, Pakistan arrives as the defending champion, having overcome India in a thrilling final in the previous edition in 2017.
