News by “Sana Ullah”
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has expressed optimism and reiterated the board’s dedication to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
Naqvi, speaking to the press at the National Bank Stadium following the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9, provided insights into his participation in the recent ICC Board Meeting, with the primary focus on the Champions Trophy 2025.
“We are fully committed to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in our home country. I am highly optimistic that it will be held in Pakistan. The Champions Trophy was discussed at the ICC meeting I recently attended, and I reaffirmed our board’s commitment to hosting the event.”
Mohsin Naqvi also disclosed plans for the upgrade of the country’s major stadiums ahead of the global event.
“Our primary venues – Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi – will undergo upgrades before the Champions Trophy. Once these three are revamped, we will proceed to enhance other venues. Our aim is to have state-of-the-art stadiums once the renovations are complete.”
Furthermore, Naqvi confirmed his meeting with Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI), during the ICC Board Meeting, describing the discussion as “very productive.”
“I had a productive meeting with Jay Shah, Secretary of the BCCI. While I cannot divulge specific details due to the sensitivity of the matter, I want to assure everyone that the PCB is fully committed to hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and will spare no effort to achieve this goal.”
When questioned about decisions regarding the coaching staff, Chairman PCB stated, “We are currently in the process of finalizing the coaching staff. Our priority is to complete this process promptly as the players are scheduled to depart for Kakul soon. We are striving to secure the best talent available.”
Acknowledging the deteriorating conditions of pitches in major stadiums, Naqvi outlined plans to introduce diverse pitches at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.
“I am working towards introducing four or five different types of pitches at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. These include pitches made from Australian and English soil, along with others replicating different regions. Such diversity is crucial for our players. As our stadium pitches are also in need of improvement, we may need to seek expertise from abroad.”
Naqvi concluded, expressing hope for success in these endeavors, emphasizing the importance of enhancing facilities for the development of cricket in Pakistan.
