Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated the PCB’s firm commitment to hosting the 2025 Cricket Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan during the months of February and March.
Naqvi made the statement during the 76th meeting of the Board of Governors, held at a local hotel in Islamabad on Wednesday.
During the meeting, key developments related to Pakistan’s preparations for this prestigious event were discussed. Naqvi provided the board members with updates, stressing that Pakistan is on track to host the tournament.
He stressed the national importance of the Champions Cup and pledged to ensure its continuation without any concessions. “From day one, our focus has been on ensuring success for Pakistan and cricket,” Naqvi said.
“We will leave no stone unturned in maintaining the prestige of this event. All participating teams will receive a warm welcome,” Naqvi added, stressing the PCB’s readiness to deliver a world-class tournament.
He also stressed the importance of keeping cricket away from politics, saying: “Cricket is a sport loved by millions and we believe it should remain free of politics.”
The meeting also reviewed the progress made in modernizing the stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, with the aim of meeting the stringent international standards required for the tournament. Members expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work and commended the Program Coordination Board for its efforts to ensure Pakistan’s readiness as a host country.
BoG members also noted the success of the ongoing Champions T20 T20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which is a precursor to the Champions Trophy. Earlier this year, the PCB successfully hosted the One-Day Champions Trophy in Faisalabad, boosting confidence in Pakistan’s organizational capabilities.
The discussion also touched on the ICC’s approval of the ‘merger formula’ proposed by the PCB to resolve the logistical challenges related to India-Pakistan matches in ICC tournaments. According to reports, the decision was made during an informal meeting of the ICC earlier this year.
Under this arrangement, India will play their matches in the UAE during the 2025 Champions Trophy instead of traveling to Pakistan.
Likewise, Pakistan will not travel to India for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, as its matches, including the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash, are scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, the co-host of the event.