ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Photo: File ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Photo: File

With just 42 days left until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off in Lahore, Pakistan on February 19291bet, major concerns loom over the readiness of the country's key cricketing venues. (More Cricket News)

Despite the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) assurances, the National Stadium in Karachi, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium remain far from meeting the International Cricket Council's (ICC) standards.

The construction and renovation work, which began in August 2024, was initially scheduled for completion by December 31. However, delays have pushed the deadline further, leaving the PCB racing against time to hand over the stadiums to the ICC by February 12, 2025.

The event, which runs until March 9, will feature eight teams, including India, whose matches will be held in Dubai due to the BCCI’s refusal to send their team to Pakistan.

This marks the first major ICC tournament hosted by Pakistan in 28 years, following their co-hosting of the 1996 Cricket World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka. However, the buildup to the Champions Trophy has been far from ideal, with infrastructural challenges and weather constraints hindering progress.

Construction Delays and Challenges

Critical upgrades, including multi-story enclosures for dressing rooms and hospitality boxes, floodlight installations, seat arrangements, and fencing, are still incomplete. With the weather further delaying construction and finishing work, there are growing fears that rushed efforts may compromise safety standards.

A team from the ICC is expected to arrive in Pakistan later this week to assess the situation, while informal contingency discussions about relocating the tournament entirely to the UAE have reportedly begun.

On Tuesday, deep inside Chinese Mongolia, the Harmanpreet Singh-led Men in Blue did just about enough to beat a spirited Chinese side. The occasion: the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.

India, the most successful team in the competition, now have five titles, including back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024. The victory adds to their bronze medal secured at the Paris Olympic Games last month.

PCB Under Pressure

Heavy construction work is underway in Karachi and Lahore, but meeting the looming deadline appears increasingly unlikely. The PCB is left with little choice but to push construction crews to work overtime, yet significant doubts remain over their ability to deliver venues that meet ICC requirements.

This situation could once again damage Pakistan's reputation as a host nation291bet, especially following the delays that affected the USA's preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. If the construction work at the stadiums is not completed on time, the ICC may decide to move the tournament to a different location.