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Pakistan In Deep Trouble As PCB Exceeds Budget by Billions For Champions Trophy 2025 Venues

Rajgeeta

PCB Overspends On Champions Trophy 2025 Venues [@faizanlakhani/X]PCB Overspends On Champions Trophy 2025 Venues [@faizanlakhani/X]

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As Pakistan prepare to host the Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing financial strain due to soaring renovation costs for its stadiums. Originally, the PCB estimated that upgrading venues in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi would cost 12.3 billion Pakistani rupees (around ₹383 crore). However, the expenses have now surged to 18 billion rupees (approximately ₹561 crore), an increase of over 5 billion rupees (USD 20.4 million).

To manage this unexpected rise in costs, the PCB’s Board of Governors (BOG) has approved the additional budget. The board has also allowed its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to secure an overdraft of 3 to 6 billion rupees if needed to cover the current fiscal year’s expenses. According to a report by Dawn, the PCB anticipates a future cash crunch and may require external financial support to keep operations running smoothly.

Documents from the BOG meeting reveal that despite having reserves of approximately 26 billion rupees last year, the PCB had to sell broadcast rights and other deals for the 2024-26 period at a lower-than-expected price of 1.70 billion rupees. 

To boost revenue, the PCB plans to add two new teams to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and renegotiate its 10-year contracts with existing franchises, which expire this year.

Rising Costs Despite India’s Absence

Adding to the concerns, India have refused to play in Pakistan and will instead compete in Dubai. Despite this, the PCB is going ahead with its stadium upgrades. The increased costs raise questions about whether the investments will be worth it, especially given the uncertain revenue generation from the tournament.

Champions Trophy 2025 Match Schedule

The Champions Trophy will begin on February 19, with India playing all their matches in Dubai from February 20. Karachi will host three matches (Pakistan vs. New Zealand, Afghanistan vs. South Africa, South Africa vs. England), Lahore will host four, including a semi-final, and Rawalpindi will feature key matches like Pakistan vs. Bangladesh.