ICC Makes Special Exception For PCB Ahead Of Champions Trophy 2025
Gaddafi Stadium- (Source:@FaridKhan/X.com)
The upcoming edition of Champions Trophy 2025 is less than three weeks away. Pakistan and UAE will host the prestigious event starting from February 19. At present, the PCB is sweating hard as they are fighting a race against time to get their stadiums ready for the event.
Notably, Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi will be the three hosts, but a lot of work is pending for the stadiums to be deemed fit and ready. In the latest events, ICC has made a special exception for PCB.
ICC Makes Exception For PCB
Usually, three weeks before the start of any ICC events, the International Cricket Council takes full control of the stadiums that will host the event. However, PCB requested the ICC to let them host the upcoming tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand from Multan to Lahore and Karachi.
The tri-series will start on February 8 and the PCB will have control of these stadiums and not the ICC. Activities to take place in venues within the exclusivity within the exclusivity window, PCB has followed the process and the ICC has authorised this for the exclusivity period for testing of the venues. Similarly, Dubai stadium is also being ng used during the exclusivity period for the ILT20," said a source.
PCB Chairman Takes A Dig At Indian Media
During a press conference, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not hold back and took a dig at the BCCI for spreading rumours about the slow pace of work.
"Ek cheez kehna chahta hun. Border k uss paar bade log hai jo humare, ek patthar bhi galat lage toh voh dhundne ki koshish kar rahe hai. (I have noticed one thing. Across the border, there are big people, who are consistently searching for a mishap or error in the construction work, but by the grace of god, they haven't succeeded." he said speaking with the media.
Besides this, Mohsin Naqvi also confirmed that the opening ceremony of Champions Trophy 2025 will take place on February 16.