When was the last time Pakistan hosted an ICC tournament?

Pakistan won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

The ICC Champions Trophy is making its much-awaited return after eight years. The previous edition was held in 2017 in England, where Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs in the final to claim the title.

The defending champions are set to co-host the tournament, starting February 19 in Karachi. India will play all their matches in Dubai.

The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups – Group A and Group B. The ninth edition of the competition will be held across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Dubai, featuring 15 matches.

Group A includes India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and defending champions Pakistan, while Group B consists of England, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan.

Pakistan last hosted a multi-nation tournament in 2008, which was the Asia Cup. The final of the competition was played between India and Sri Lanka, where Sri Lanka outclassed India to win the title by 100 runs.

Things took an ugly turn in March 2009 when the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked in Lahore during their tour of Pakistan. Several players, including stars like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, sustained injuries in the incident. As a result, international teams avoided travelling to Pakistan for nearly a decade.

Things started to change when Sri Lanka followed Zimbabwe and made a return to Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, in 2017. Gradually, international cricket returned to Pakistan, with major teams like Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa touring the country.

When was the last time Pakistan hosted an ICC tournament?

Pakistan co-hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 alongside India and Sri Lanka. That was the last time Pakistan hosted an ICC tournament.

It was a disappointing campaign for the home side as they were knocked out from the quarter-final stage by arch-rivals India in Bengaluru.

Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore hosted the final of the 1996 World Cup, featuring Sri Lanka and Australia. Sri Lanka claim their maiden World Cup title by defeating Australia by seven wickets.

The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be the first ICC tournament in Pakistan since 1996.

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