Before the 2025 Champions Trophy, PCB confirms that the stadiums in Karachi and Lahore will be ready

Due to ongoing development at the National Stadium in Karachi ahead of the Champions Trophy in 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board was forced to postpone their first Test match against Bangladesh. Regarding the timetable of the preparations, there have been enquiries, but PCB has guaranteed that both locations would be ready prior to the major event.

Rawalpindi, the location of the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh, was chosen to host the second Test. After Bangladesh’s assignment, Pakistan will host England in another Test series, and one of the matches in that series may take place at a different location.

While delaying adopting a firm position, the PCB promised to keep the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) informed of any new developments.

“Matches [during the season] may change, but the primary goal is for these stadiums to be completed in time for the Champions Trophy.” “We calculated that we could hold matches without large crowds, but the police and various security agencies advised against hosting a match even if people are working inside,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was cited as saying.

“All of our stadiums are unable to meet international standards. Not the restrooms, not the chairs, and the perspective that makes it seem like you are viewing from 500 meters away,” he continued.

“We prefer not to speculate at this time about the hosting of the second Test in Karachi from October 15–19. We will keep working closely with the architects and construction experts on the safe and secure hosting of the match, and we will keep the England and Wales Cricket Board informed,” the PCB stated in a statement.

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This will be Pakistan’s first ICC event since 1997. India withdrew from its plans to visit Pakistan in order to host the 2023 Asia Cup, which would have been the nation’s first significant tournament since the 2008 terrorist assault on the Sri Lankan squad. They played their full competition in Sri Lanka, acknowledging the security and political reasons offered by India.