In response to speculation about relocating the Champions Trophy from Pakistan due to delayed stadium renovations, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) representative has confirmed that preparations are progressing well, with all venue-related work scheduled for completion by early February.
“All the work will be done by the first week of February. Pakistan will successfully host the Champions Trophy. No need to go by any rumours,” the PCB official told IANS.
As reported by Timesofindia.com, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will likely dispatch an inspection team to evaluate the state of stadium-readiness at the three venues, while Dubai is being kept on stand-by as part of contingency plan.
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The tournament is set to begin on February 19 and will conclude on March 9, featuring eight teams competing in 15 matches. The designated venues are the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
However, India will play their matches in Dubai as per an agreement between the PCB, ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the Indian government’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan.
“We are committed to give our best. There are people who are trying to tarnish Pakistan’s image on social media. We know who all they are and why they are doing this,” the official said about reports of a lot of renovation work still remaining at the three venues.
The renovation work at the three stadiums, which began in August 2023, had an initial completion deadline of December 31.
The tournament marks a significant moment for Pakistan cricket, as the nation prepares to host an ICC event after a gap of nearly three decades. The last such event was the ODI World Cup in 1996, which Pakistan co-hosted along with India and Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the PCB announced on Wednesday a change in venue for the ODI tri-series featuring South Africa and New Zealand. The series has been relocated from Multan to Karachi and Lahore.
The board cited the advanced state of readiness of the stadiums in Lahore and Karachi as the reason for this change. These venues are set to host six of the 12 group-stage matches in the Champions Trophy.
