'None of our stadiums are of international standard: PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi

There are three stadiums designated to host the ICC Champions Trophy in February-March 2025. The list includes Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, National Stadium in Karachi, and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

The chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, while speaking to correspondents at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, frankly acknowledged the lack of preparedness in terms of being hosts to a major International Cricket Council event in 2025 (referring to the Champions Trophy 2025), and called for expedited revamping of the aforementioned venues.

"There is a huge difference in international stadiums and those of ours. None of our stadiums are of international standard," stated Naqvi, as quoted by India Today.

Interestingly, Naqvi had visited the iconic 27,000-seater in Lahore to note down the progress of the proposed upgradations to be made to the stadium ahead of the 50-over event to be hosted in Pakistan next year. 

Also Read: Second Pakistan versus Bangladesh Test shifted from Karachi to Rawalpindi

The designs for the renovation of the aforementioned venues were approved by Naqvi during his visit to BDP Patterns, a well-established architectural firm based out of London.

Providing basic facilities in stadiums is our first priority: Naqvi

Pakistan, despite having a rich cricketing heritage, hasn't particularly been proclaimed to serve out state-of-the-art amenities when it comes to the infrastructure of the stadiums there.

However, it was Naqvi who assured that the organization working on the projects, in collaboration with the PCB, would ensure that the end-product would be as refined as possible. 

"The Frontier Works Organisation team is working day and night. We will make our stadiums one of the best in the world. Providing basic facilities in stadiums is our first priority," added Naqvi.

Also Read: Pakistan unveil playing XI for first Test against Bangladesh

Another point to be noted is the fact that the decision to refurbish the stadiums was a call entirely taken by the PCB, who had distributed an approximate PKR 17 billion for the entire process. Representatives of the ICC had made a visit to all the three stadiums and deemed them fit to host the matches, according to Dawn.