- Naqvi says a cricket event is being planned in Karachi.
- He says that the construction of the National Stadium will be completed in a month.
- Signs celebrating Tri-nation series matches in Karachi.
As the ICC Champions Trophy approaches, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that a decision on the neutral venue will be taken today and stressed: “We will ensure that the cricket does not suffer.
The PCB chief’s comments come a couple of days after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that its 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy would be held under a hybrid model, with India playing its matches at a neutral venue. rather than in the host country. Pakistan.
“India and Pakistan matches organized by any of the countries on ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC Board confirmed,” said a statement issued by the council.
“This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted in Pakistan).”
As per the agreement, Pakistan will also play in the upcoming ICC tournaments hosted by India in other countries, yet to be decided.
The agreement will extend to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 hosted by India and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the statement added.
Speaking to the media while visiting the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday, the PCB chief revealed that a big event is being planned in Karachi and promised, “The people of Karachi are in for good news.”
The National Stadium is being repaired as part of the cricket committee’s preparations for the upcoming mega sporting event. The PCB chief reached the stadium late on Saturday night and inspected the works on different floors.
He ordered the installation of the score screen and LED lights to be expedited.
The PCB president stated that the new construction of the stadium will be completed within a month and that a parking space for 2,700 vehicles will be built around the venue.
Naqvi said stadium fencing is being replaced to avoid blocking the view of live action during matches, adding that LED lights are being installed and a new screen will be installed before January 25.
“A match from the trinational series could be hosted at the National Stadium for the 2025 Champions Trophy,” he announced.
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s former head coach, a former Australian cricketer, Jason Gillespie, the PCB chairman clarified: “The role of the head coach is to coach the team, while the committee is supposed to team selects the players”.
Jason was included as a member of the selection committee, but was not given full authority over the selections, he added.
Responding to a question about batsman Fakhar Zaman, he said the selection committee would decide on him and added: “Those who perform well will play for Pakistan.”
