PCB reacts to report suggesting Champions Trophy could be moved out of Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a major decision on Wednesday to move the ODI tri-series, featuring Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand, from Multan to Karachi and Lahore. This move comes amid concerns about the progress of renovation work at the venues ahead of the Champions Trophy, which starts in February.

PCB officials dismissed rumors of delays and assured that preparations for the tournament are moving forward on schedule. Renovation work at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Bank Stadium in Karachi is set to be completed on time, meeting the deadlines.

“The advanced stage of preparations at both stadiums led us to relocate the series,” the PCB said in a statement. “We are confident that these upgraded venues will offer a world-class experience for players, officials, and fans alike.” Originally scheduled for Multan, the tri-series will now take place in Karachi and Lahore, two venues that the PCB believes are ready to host international cricket events.

Earlier on Wednesday, social media shared videos showing the state of the venues set to host the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The videos raised concerns about the progress of work, with reports suggesting that even plaster work was incomplete at one of the venues. “It’s a very disappointing picture,” a source told the Times of India.

“All three stadiums are far from ready. There’s proper construction still happening, not just renovation.” According to reports, work on seating, floodlights, playing surfaces, and other facilities was far from finished.

The weather in Pakistan has also posed a challenge to the construction work, slowing down progress. At Gaddafi Stadium, plastering remained incomplete, and finishing touches, such as the construction of dressing rooms, took more time. “The ICC has a checklist that the venues must meet, and it’s not just about random rooms,” the source added. “If the venues don’t meet the ICC’s standards, the tournament can’t go ahead.”

Typically, host countries hand over completed venues to the International Cricket Council (ICC) well in advance for quality checks and necessary adjustments. If PCB misses the deadlines or fails to meet the ICC’s checklist, the tournament may be in jeopardy. “The next week will be crucial for both PCB and ICC,” the report stated. “They need to pull off a miracle to ensure the tournament happens on time.”

The upgrades at Gaddafi Stadium include a significant increase in spectator capacity, which now stands at 35,000. The stadium has also seen the installation of 480 state-of-the-art LED lights to improve broadcast quality, ensuring a better viewing experience for fans worldwide. These improvements aim to meet the ICC’s requirements and provide a top-tier environment for the Champions Trophy.

Despite the setbacks, the PCB remains confident that the venues will be ready in time for the tournament, highlighting the ongoing efforts to complete the renovations and upgrades. With only a few weeks left before the Champions Trophy, all eyes are on the PCB to ensure that everything falls into place for the international event.