Dazzling gentle present on the inauguration ceremony of renovated Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on February 7, 2025. — PCB
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host a primary main multi-country cricket event in almost three a long time subsequent week and its cricket chief is hopeful {that a} profitable Champions Trophy will deliver a flood of different such occasions.
High groups shunned Pakistan after the 2009 assault on a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, forcing them to relocate residence matches, largely to the United Arab Emirates.
It took the Pakistan Cricket Board years to persuade overseas counterparts that it was protected to go to. Touring sides started returning after the board efficiently staged its personal T20 league, with a number of overseas gamers, on residence soil in 2017.
“The ICC (International Cricket Council) Champions Trophy 2025 is a culmination of those efforts,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi instructed Reuters.
“Our successful hosting of this event will further enhance Pakistan’s credentials, positioning us as a strong contender for more ICC events in the next events cycle.”
Pakistan staged the 1996 World Cup after successful the earlier version of cricket’s marquee occasion however the nation’s fortunes crumbled with the rise of militancy following battle in neighbouring Afghanistan.
‘Safe and well-managed’
“Security has long ceased to be a concern for visiting teams as we have consistently demonstrated our ability to provide a safe, secure and well-managed environment for international cricket,” stated Naqvi, who additionally doubles because the nation’s inner safety chief.
“Once we successfully staged home international series and consistently delivered PSL (Pakistan Super League) editions at world-class standards, the ICC accepted and recognised Pakistan’s readiness to host a global event,” he stated.
“Since 2019, all major Test-playing nations – except India – have toured Pakistan, some multiple times.”
Naqvi stated a number of visits by England and New Zealand and the rising variety of worldwide gamers within the PSL have been an endorsement. “As a result, they are already familiar with Pakistan’s world-class playing conditions, operational efficiency and robust security measures.”
However he acknowledged that staging a multi-team occasion was harder than internet hosting a single workforce.
“The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been a monumental task, requiring extensive preparations in a limited timeframe. Our stadiums last underwent significant renovations for the 1996 World Cup, and since then, the global cricketing landscape has evolved tremendously.”
The PCB has upgraded two major grounds in Karachi and Lahore for the occasion in an Eleventh-hour facelift.
