PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly ordered the urgent establishment of committees to ensure impeccable preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be held in Pakistan next year in February-March.
Naqvi reviewed some key aspects of the preparations, including the ongoing improvement work on the stadiums that will host the Champions Trophy. At the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Lahore, the final decision was taken to establish various committees.
Also Read: Jason Gillespie Hates Bazball: ‘I Don’t Like the Term’
Mohsin Naqvi orders establishment of committees for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the urgency of forming a committee that will help smooth running of operations. He spoke about the need to have clear roles and responsibilities to begin preparations that will help the tournament run smoothly.
Some key officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) such as Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, Chief Financial Officer Javed Murtaza and all PCB directors also participated in the meeting.
“With the participation of the best teams in the world, our arrangements must be impeccable. Once the renovations are completed, spectators will enjoy the matches even more,” Naqvi said.
Mohsin Naqvi on the successful organization of the Champions Cup
Mohsin Naqvi also shared his opinion on the ongoing One-Day Champions Cup and expressed the delight shown by the fans in Faisalabad for the tournament. Currently, five teams are competing against each other at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad for the One-Day Champions Cup.
Not only national players but also top international players of Pakistan also participate in the tournament. The tournament only has one match left and the final between Markhors and Panthers will be held on September 29.
The PCB chief also claimed that Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches may take place in Faisalabad in future given the madness of the spectators.
The PCB is also awaiting the final schedule of the International Cricket Council’s ICC Champions Trophy. The PCB has already submitted provisional reservations and the ICC is expected to provide a final schedule by the end of October.
Mohsin Naqvi to discuss India’s participation with Jay Shah
Mohsin Naqvi is also expected to meet newly elected ICC president Jay Shah during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final in Dubai. The PCB chairman is likely to discuss India’s participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
While all other teams have secured their participation in the tournament, the BCCI is yet to confirm India’s participation. The BCCI has stated that India’s participation is dependent on the Indian government’s approval for travel to Pakistan.
The last time India traveled to Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup. Since then, tense political relations between the two countries have resulted in very few clashes between them. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was in 2013, when Pakistan traveled to India for a T20I and ODI series.
Since then, both teams have only faced each other in Asian Cups and ICC tournaments. While India has not traveled to Pakistan since 2008, Pakistan has been traveling to India for ICC tournaments. They recently traveled to their neighboring country for the 2023 ODI World Cup.