PCB quashes rumors of Champions Trophy 2025 rescheduling, board says chairman Mohsin Naqvi's comments were "misrepresented"

PCB has already submitted a draft schedule to the ICC for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rubbished the media reports that claimed the Champions Trophy 2025 could be rescheduled following chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s comments recently about the renovation works in three major stadiums.

Pakistan are scheduled to host the next year’s men’s ICC tournament and they have already submitted the draft schedule, in which the tournament is slated to be played from February 19 to March 9.

However, it is believed that the showpiece event would move out of Pakistan partially as India are unlikely to visit the country.

Pakistan Cricket Board slams media outlets for misrepresenting chairman Naqvi’s comments

During a media interaction, Naqvi said that Pakistan’s cricket body is hoping to have the renovation work at their three stadiums completed before the Champions Trophy 2025.

Naqvi admitted that none of the stadiums in Pakistan meet international standards and it was the responsibility of the board to improve facilities before the Champions Trophy next year. 

Reacting to Naqvi’s statement, many media outlets misrepresented Naqvi’s comments and misleadingly quoted him on the possibility of a change of dates for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

To clear all rumours and speculations, the board has released a statement where they slammed the media for “misleading” Naqvi’s remarks.

“It is disappointing that certain media outlets have misrepresented PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi’s comments from yesterday’s media interaction, misleadingly quoting him on the possibility of change of dates for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to security concerns, thus creating unnecessary sensationalism,” the board said.

The statement pointed out that Naqvi mentioned that the redevelopment and redesigning of the three stadiums would be completed before the Champions Trophy 2025.

“During the media talk, which is available on the PCB’s official YouTube channel, the PCB Chair clearly stated that the redevelopment and redesign of the three designated stadia would be completed on schedule, ensuring readiness to host the Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB Chair also mentioned that while some domestic matches may need to be shifted to facilitate uninterrupted construction work, this in no way pertains to the ICC Champions Trophy, which remains a priority for the PCB as a premier eight-team international event,” it added.

“In line with this commitment, the PCB has already submitted a draft schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC), with the proposed dates spanning from 19 February to 9 March 2025.“

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