LAHORE – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi disclosed that none of Pakistan’s cricket stadiums was of international standards.
Mohsin Naqvi hoped that they would host Champions Trophy in Pakistan in 2025.
“God willing, the Champions Trophy will indeed take place in Pakistan. Match dates may shift, but the PCB is actively coordinating with security agencies,” said Naqvi while talking to the reporters in Lahore on Monday.
Naqvi acknowledged that the coming four to five months would be challenging due to ongoing construction at various stadiums. He assured that essential work would be completed before the Champions Trophy, with preliminary renovations finished ahead of the tournament and additional work finalized afterward.
He also mentioned that discussions are ongoing with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government regarding the potential use of a stadium in the region.
“Even the stadium in New York was completed in the final ten days of its construction,” Naqvi noted.
The PCB chairman also highlighted the scope of the renovation effort, adding that stadium upgrades are a significant challenge.
“Renovating stadiums is a major task. Unlike stadiums worldwide, Pakistan’s facilities are not up to standard and are significantly behind global benchmarks,” he said.
The plans include constructing a new stadium in Islamabad, with ongoing discussions with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government about the Peshawar stadium. The PCB is working closely with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ensure renovations are completed before the ICC delegation arrives for the Champions Trophy.
Earlier, Naqvi visited Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium to review the progress of the ongoing development work.
