Champions Trophy 2025: PCB shapes up security plans for Indian team
The mega event is to be played in February 2025
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is shaping up security plans for the Indian cricket team ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 which is to be played in the country in February next year.
The PCB has already put forward three venues to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the initial draft schedule and the governing body will take feedback from the participating nations on it.
Pakistan has decided to minimise India’s travelling as a security measure, sources told Geo News. It was further revealed that in the first round, all of India’s matches will be held in a single city. However, the name of the city or venue has not been revealed yet.
ICC’s pitch consultant Andy Atkinson arrived at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday where he shared his input with local ground staff over the preparation of pitches for the mega event.
Atkinson will visit three venues, starting from Karachi, to inspect playing facilities. After Karachi, he will also visit Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Earlier on Tuesday, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi told the press that there is no reason for India not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
“We have sent the schedule [of the Champions Trophy] to the ICC, all eight teams will come,” Naqvi assured. “There is no reason as to why India would refuse to come.
“If they [India] are doing propaganda, why aren’t you doing as well?” Naqvi asked the media. “We are not thinking of a hybrid model, there is no talk of the sort.”
Remember, Pakistan is also upgrading their venues in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore and Naqvi is eager to complete the renovation work in four to five months.
“The stadium upgrading work is going on rapidly. Yes, there have been some delays but we are determined to get it done as soon as possible,” Naqvi said. “We have a three-member committee that is exclusively working on that. There is a director infrastructure, director international cricket and the remaining is director domestic cricket.”
This event will mark the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year hiatus, with its last occurrence in 2017, when Pakistan emerged victorious by defeating India in the final.
The teams confirmed for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy include Pakistan (hosts), India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England, and Bangladesh.
