Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi inspecting the development work on the Nationwide Stadium, Karachi in late-night go to on December 21, 2024. — Screengrab through X/TheRealPCBMediaNaqvi says a cricketing occasion being deliberate for Karachi.Says Nationwide Stadium constructing to be accomplished in month.Alerts holding Tri-nation collection matches in Karachi.
As ICC Champions Trophy is drawing close to, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has mentioned {that a} determination on the impartial venue for India’s video games of the Champions Trophpy 2025 shall be finalised by immediately, emphasising: “We will ensure cricket does not suffer.”
The PCB chief’s feedback come a few days after the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) introduced that the Males’s Champions Trophy 2025 can be held underneath a hybrid mannequin, with India set to play their matches at a impartial venue somewhat than within the host nation, Pakistan.
“India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC Board confirmed,” mentioned an announcement launched by the council.
“This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan).”
Beneath the settlement, Pakistan may even play at impartial venues within the upcoming ICC tournaments hosted by India.
The settlement will lengthen to the ICC Ladies’s Cricket World Cup 2025 hosted by India, and the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the assertion added.
The Nationwide Stadium is being renovated as a part of the cricket board’s preparations for the upcoming mega sports activities occasion. The PCB chief arrived on the stadium late night time on Saturday and inspected the work on completely different flooring.
He directed to expedite the set up of rating display screen and LED lights.
The PCB chairman mentioned that the brand new constructing of the stadium can be accomplished inside a month, with a parking area being constructed for two,700 autos across the premises.
Naqvi mentioned that the stadium’s fences are being changed to keep away from blocking the view of reside motion throughout matches, including that LED lights are being put in and {that a} new display screen shall be put in by January 25.
“A match of a tri-nation series could be hosted at the National Stadium ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025,” he announced.
Replying to a question regarding Pakistan’s former head coach — a former Australian cricketer — Jason Gillespie, the PCB chairman clarified: “The head coach’s role is to coach the team, while the selection committee is supposed to select players.”
Jason was included as a member of the selection committee but was not given full authority over selections, he added.
Answering a question regarding batter Fakhar Zaman, he said that the selection committee would decide about him, adding: “Those who perform well will play for Pakistan.”
