On Friday, December 16, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally signed the hosting agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC), marking a major advancement towards earning the coveted ICC Champions Trophy hosting rights for Pakistan. This action solidified Pakistan’s position as a potential host of the prestigious tournament.
After India exerted pressure to move the majority of the Asia Cup matches to Sri Lanka in September 2023, citing security concerns and government approval issues, there was uncertainty about Pakistan’s hosting status. Pakistan hosted just four matches before the tournament moved to Sri Lanka, thanks to the Board of Cricket Control in India’s (BCCI) influence within the Asian Cricket Council. Nonetheless, Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the PCB, signed the hosting agreement at the ICC headquarters, which was a step in the right direction and showed Pakistan’s determination to keep hosting the Champions Trophy.
“ICC General Counsel Jonathan Hall joined PCB Management Committee Chairman Mr. Zaka Ashraf in the signing of the hosting rights to Pakistan at the ICC headquarters,” the PCB stated in a press release.
Pakistan will host an ICC event again after a 29-year absence.
The PCB has assured the government that all international teams visiting for the Champions Trophy will have thorough security measures in place. In order to ensure that the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is successfully hosted, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the acting prime minister, expressed support and cooperation from security authorities. The 2009 Lahore attacks, which resulted in the brutal attack on the Sri Lankan team, have left Pakistan’s history of hosting ICC events with difficulties, most notably due to security concerns.
As a result, Pakistan was unable to host the 2009 Champions Trophy or a few 2011 ODI World Cup matches. The 2008 Asia Cup was the last time India played cricket on Pakistani land, yet Pakistan managed to host the tournament despite several obstacles. This most recent development is a positive indication for Pakistan’s cricket scene, suggesting that the country may soon host major ICC competitions again after a long break since the ODI World Cup in 1996.
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