Tag: Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday, admitted that none of the stadiums in Pakistan is on par with the international standards.

Pakistan is set to host the ICC Champions Trophy next year in the February-March window. As a result, the PCB chief is determined to renovate the major stadiums to prepare for the global event.

The construction work is currently underway at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi, today visited Gaddafi Stadium to review the construction work and admitted that none of the stadiums in the country is on par with international standards but expressed his determination to complete the renovation of major stadiums ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

“There’s a huge difference between international stadiums and those of ours, none of our stadiums are of international standard,” said Naqvi.

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“Completing the upgradation work before the 2025 Champions Trophy is a difficult task but I’m confident that it will be done.

“Let the [upgradation] work complete, all teams including India will come.”

“The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) team is working day and night. [We] will make our stadiums one of the best in the world, providing basic facilities in stadiums is [our] first priority.”

For the unversed, the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh, originally scheduled to be held at National Bank Stadium, Karachi was shifted to Rawalpindi, owing to the renovation work currently underway at the venue.

READ: Pakistan unveil Playing XI for first Test against Bangladesh

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) approved a budget of USD 70 million to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to host the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place in February-March, Times of India reported Thursday.

According to the report, ICC’s financial and commercial committee, chaired by the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah made the decision after a thorough scrutiny of the budget, jointly prepared and submitted by the PCB and the ICC Finance Department, Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted a source close to the apex cricketing body saying.

“The approximate budget is around USD 70 million and only USD 70 million and only USD 4.5 million has been allocated as additional expenses,” the source added.

Meanwhile, the allocation of the additional budget sparked speculations that it was granted to host some matches at some other venue besides Pakistan if India do not travel to their neighbouring country.

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For the unversed, the Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February to March, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeks the government’s approval to visit the country.

Reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the BCCI, that the Indian team will not be visiting Pakistan for the upcoming ICC event.

Reports further claimed that the board is planning to formally propose Dubai and Sri Lanka as potential venues for hosting India’s matches.

Remember, India refused to travel to Pakistan to participate in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023. As a result, the continental event was held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka stepping in as a co-host.

It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

In contrast, Pakistan has made four trips to India in the last 16 years. Their most recent visit was last year for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

READ: ICC approves budget for Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi lambasted the Board of Control in India (BCCI) over their indecision to send Team India to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025  is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February to March, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain as the BCCI seeks the government’s approval to visit the country.

Meanwhile, former all-rounder Afridi while speaking to the media here on Monday, expressed his disappointment with the uncertainty surrounding India’s participation in the tournament.

Shahid Afridi claimed that the Pakistan cricket team toured India in the past despite the threats. He further slammed India for making excuses in order to avoid visiting Pakistan.

“If India does not have the intention of coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, then India will continue to make excuses,” said Afridi.

“The Pakistan cricket team toured India despite threats. Indian cricket team is welcome if they don’t want to visit Pakistan,” he added.

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Remember, reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the BCCI, that the Indian team will not be visiting Pakistan for the upcoming ICC event.

Further reports claimed that the board has formally proposed Dubai and Sri Lanka as potential venues for hosting India’s matches.

Remember, India refused to travel to Pakistan to participate in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023. As a result, the continental event was held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka stepping in as a co-host.

It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

READ: Bangladesh ‘A’ edge past Pakistan Shaheens to level series

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) CEO Richard Gould backed Pakistan as the host of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in February-March.

Gould, in an interview with the BBC Test Match Special, expressed his interest in facilitating to host a long-awaited Test between arch-rivals Pakistan and India.

Notably, Pakistan and India have not played a Test since 2007/08 and a bilateral series in any format since 2012/13 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

The fierce rivals, however, only came face to face in multi-national events like Asia Cup and ICC World Cups.

Earlier this year, a number of renowned stadiums in England, including Lord’s, The Oval and Edgbaston said that they would be “open to exploring” the potency of hosting the bilateral Test series between arch-rivals Pakistan and India.

“Everybody would love that. I wouldn’t say it’s [hosting and India v Pakistan Test] impossible. The politics between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board are long known, as are the politics between governments. And I find that fascinating,” Gould said.

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“We were in Sri Lanka over the weekend for ICC meetings, and you see Pakistan cricket supporters and India cricket supporters getting on so well, but as soon as the political element is put in, it creates issues,” he added.

Richard Gould further confirmed that the ECB is committed to the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan despite the uncertainty surrounding India’s participation in the eight-team tournament.

“There’s a great deal of determination to make sure it [Champions Trophy] is [hosted in Pakistan next year],” said Gould. “Particularly from the PCB and the ECB,” Gould concluded.

READ: Iftikhar Ahmed’s no-look shot goes wrong in GT20 Canada 2024

Former Pakistan captain and veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik urged India to separate politics from sports and also to visit Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Malik, during an interview with a local YouTube channel, emphasized the need for politics-free cricket and stated that India should come to Pakistan, highlighting that the national team also toured India for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

“Whatever reservations there are between the countries, that’s a separate issue and should be solved separately. Politics shouldn’t come into sports. The Pakistan team went to India last year, and now it’s a good opportunity for the Indian team too,” Malik said.

“I think there are many players in the Indian team who haven’t played in Pakistan, so it would be great for them. We are good people. We’re very hospitable people, so I’m sure the Indian team should come,” Shoaib Malik added.

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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025  is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February to March, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeks the government’s approval to visit the country.

Reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the BCCI, that the Indian team will not be visiting Pakistan for the upcoming ICC event.

Further reports claimed that the board has formally proposed Dubai and Sri Lanka as potential venues for hosting India’s matches.

Remember, India refused to travel to Pakistan to participate in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023. As a result, the continental event was held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka stepping in as a co-host.

It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

READ: Babar Azam, Rizwan’s replacement for GT20 Canada 2024 unveiled

COLOMBO: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally approved the budget for the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.

According to the details, the budget was approved by the ICC on the last day of its annual meeting here.

ICC’s annual meeting was attended by the high-ups of the several cricket boards including Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The budget for the eight-team tournament was prepared by ICC Chief Finance Officer Ankur Khanna and PCB Chief Finance Officer Javed Murtaza.

For the unversed, the Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February to March, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeks the government’s approval to visit the country.

Reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the BCCI, that the Indian team will not be visiting Pakistan for the upcoming ICC event.

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Reports further claimed that the board is planning to formally propose Dubai and Sri Lanka as potential venues for hosting India’s matches.

Meanwhile, BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla, during a telephonic conversation with an Indian media outlet, asserted that the cricketing body has not issued any information regarding their team’s participation in Champions Trophy 2025.

“We do not know which source gave such information. BCCI has not put out any official information regarding this,” Shukla told ThePrint over the phone.

Remember, India refused to travel to Pakistan to participate in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023. As a result, the continental event was held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka stepping in as a co-host.

It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

In contrast, Pakistan has made four trips to India in the last 16 years. Their most recent visit was last year for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

READ: Former Pakistan cricketer slams Shami over “indecent” remarks about Inzamam

Former Australia opener David Warner “won’t be there in Pakistan” for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 despite his interest in participating in the multi-lateral tournament.

Warner, who declared that the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 would be his last appearance for Australia in the format, confirmed the decision ahead of his final Test earlier this year.

The left-handed opener, however, left the door open for his return in Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan.

“I know there’s a Champions Trophy coming up. If I’m playing decent cricket in two years time and I’m around and they need someone, I’m going to be available,” stated Warner.

Recently, David Warner once again expressed, through an Instagram post, that he is ready to play for Australia in the eight-team event, if the management selects him.

“Chapter closed!! It’s been an unbelievable experience to play at the highest level for such a long period. Australia was my team. The majority of my career was at the international level,” Warner wrote on Instagram.

“It’s been an honour to be able to do this. 100+ games in all formats is my highlight. I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for Australia in the Champions trophy if selected,” he added.

However, Australia’s national selector George Bailey shared Monday that David Warner is considered “retired” and not in plans for the Champions Trophy 2025 and instead emphasized that his legacy across formats should be commended.

“Our understanding is that David is retired, and [he] should be commended on what has been an incredible career across all three formats. Certainly, our planning is that he won’t be there in Pakistan,” said Bailey.

“You never know when Bull’s joking…think he’s just stirring the pot a bit. He’s had a wonderful career, can’t celebrate it enough, and think as time goes by, his legacy of what he has done for Australia and we reflect back on that, the legend of a player is only going to continue to grow. But as far as this team goes and the journey to transition to some different players, in his case across all three formats, it’s going to be exciting,” he concluded.

READ: PCB appoints Australia’s Tony Hemming as chief curator

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed his concerns regarding India’s men’s cricket team’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, citing security issues.

In a video that went viral on social media, Singh was asked to share his opinion on whether India should visit Pakistan for the multi-national event.

In response, the former spinner said if their players are not safe in the country then they will not send them. He also challenged Pakistan to proceed with the tournament even if India opt to pull out.

“If our players are not safe in Pakistan, we won’t send the team. If you want to play, play; if not, don’t,” said Harbhajan Singh in a video shared on X, formerly Twitter.

“Indian cricket can still survive without Pakistan. If you guys can survive without Indian cricket, then do it,” Harbhajan added.

For the unversed, uncertainty surrounds India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, considering the long-going political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

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However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, earlier this week, denied the reports suggesting that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Shukla, during a telephonic conversation with an Indian media outlet, asserted that the cricketing body has not issued any information regarding their team’s participation in the global event.

“We do not know which source gave such information. BCCI has not put out any official information regarding this,” Shukla told ThePrint over the phone.

It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

In contrast, Pakistan has made four trips to India in the last 16 years. Their most recent visit was last year for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

READ: PCB Chairman announces ‘zero-tolerance policy’ for discipline violation

KARACHI: Right-arm pacer Shahnawaz Dahani expressed his goal to represent Pakistan in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Dahani, in an interview with a local news channel ahead of Pakistan Shaheens’ departure for Darwin, Australia, shared his experience of working with the national men’s Test team’s head coach Jason Gillespie.

“Our head coach joined us [in the camp] and he was available in two to three sessions. We had brief interactions you can call it the introduction,” said Dahani in an interview with a local news channel.

“By the will of Almighty Allah, we will seek his help in the future as well,” he added.

In response to a question regarding his fitness and performance in the domestic circuit, Dahani said his wickets tally indicates his fitness level.

“Look, when you perform and when you take wickets in domestic cricket it means you are fit that’s why your performance is up to the mark,” Dahani said.

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When probed about his plans to represent Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025, Shahnawaz Dahani shared that he is really eager and upbeat about the opportunity.

“Yes absolutely, I want to play Champions Trophy in Pakistan. It’s our home ground so I am very excited,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Pakistan Shaheens will play two four-day matches against Bangladesh ‘A’, followed by a tri-series with the Northern Territory side and Bangladesh in Darwin. They will also participate in the nine-team Top End T20 Series.

Pakistan Shaheens will depart for Brisbane in the wee hours of Saturday via Dubai. They will travel through Brisbane to Darwin later.

Notably, Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie will travel to Darwin as the team’s head coach for the two four-day matches.

Pakistan Shaheens squad

Sahibzada Farhan (c), Haseebullah, Qasim Akram, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Huraira, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, Umar Amin and Mohammad Ali.

Player Support Personnel – Jason Gillespie (head coach for red-ball matches, will also supervise camp from 8-13 July), Abdul Rehman (head coach for white-ball matches and will join the side on 28 July), Mohammad Masroor (Assistant coach-cum-manager and camp commandant from 24 June-7 July), Mohammad Asad (physiotherapist), Imranullah (trainer) and Usman Hashmi (analyst).

Schedule (all matches in Darwin)

14 Jul – Arrival in Darwin
19-22 Jul – Four-day vs Bangladesh ‘A’
26-29 Jul – Four-day vs Bangladesh ‘A’
4 Aug – 50-over match vs Northern Territory (NT)
6 Aug – 50 over match vs Bangladesh ‘A’
9-18 Aug – nine-team Top End T20 Series

READ: Hunain Shah ruled out of Pakistan Shaheens’ tour to Darwin

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajeev Shukla denied the reports suggesting that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Earlier this week, Indian media reported, citing a source from the BCCI, that the Indian team will not be visiting Pakistan for the upcoming ICC event.

Reports further claimed that the board is planning to formally propose Dubai and Sri Lanka as potential venues for hosting India’s matches.

Meanwhile, BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla, during a telephonic conversation with an Indian media outlet, asserted that the cricketing body has not issued any information regarding their team’s participation in Champions Trophy 2025.

“We do not know which source gave such information. BCCI has not put out any official information regarding this,” Shukla told ThePrint over the phone.

Last year, India refused to travel to Pakistan to participate in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023. As a result, the continental event was held in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka stepping in as a co-host.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted the schedule for the Champions Trophy to the ICC last week, which was reportedly approved by all the participating countries except India.

The BCCI has emphasized that India’s visit to Pakistan is contingent upon receiving permission from the government.

“In the case of the Champions Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India tells us to do,” BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla said in May.

“We send our team only when the Government of India gives us permission. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government.”

It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

In contrast, Pakistan has made four trips to India in the last 16 years. Their most recent visit was last year for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

READ: India set up World Championship of Legends Final with Pakistan