Pakistan Faces Major Setbacks as Champions Trophy 2025 Approaches
No Stadiums Ready, No Squad Announced Pakistan’s Hosting Woes Continue
With just 20 days left for the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan’s preparations are in shambles. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to finalize the stadiums for the tournament, and shockingly, the team squad has not been announced—a major violation of ICC regulations.
According to ICC guidelines, all participating teams must announce their squads at least one month before the tournament. While 7 out of 8 teams have already confirmed their line-ups, Pakistan lags behind. The country’s failure to meet deadlines has raised serious concerns about its ability to host the tournament successfully.
Stadiums Still Incomplete Despite $70 Million ICC Funding
The ICC allocated $70 million to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025 infrastructure, yet stadium preparations remain incomplete. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now requested an extension until February 5 to complete work on Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore stadiums.
However, if Pakistan fails to meet this deadline, the entire tournament could be relocated. Reports suggest that the ICC may shift all matches to the UAE, as concerns over Pakistan’s inability to deliver a world-class tournament continue to mount.
Hybrid Model & India’s Reluctance to Play in Pakistan
The political tensions between India and Pakistan have already resulted in a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025.
- India has refused to play in Pakistan due to security concerns.
- As a result, all of India’s matches will be held in Dubai.
- If stadium issues persist, the entire tournament may be moved to the UAE, leaving Pakistan without any home advantage.
This situation has sparked speculation that Pakistan regrets taking on the responsibility of hosting the event.
Why Has Pakistan Delayed Squad Announcement?
Adding to the chaos, Pakistan is the only team yet to announce its squad. According to Cricket Pakistan, the delay is due to:
Concerns over Saim Ayub’s fitness PCB is giving Ayub every chance to prove his fitness before February.
If Ayub is unfit, veteran Shan Masood is expected to replace him, with Fakhar Zaman likely making a return to the squad.
Sources indicate that PCB could finally announce the Champions Trophy squad and the Tri-Nation ODI series team (against South Africa and New Zealand) in the first three days of February.
Pakistan Faces Major Setbacks as Champions Trophy 2025 Approaches
