ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Cricket Outlook

PCB Chief confident about India’s participation in Champions Trophy 2025

Aditya Bhagchandani — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 11:24:32 +0000

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed confidence that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be hosted successfully in Pakistan, with all participating teams, including India, in attendance. The tournament is scheduled to kick off on February 19 and conclude on March 9, with matches being held in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. This would mark the first time since 2008 that an Indian cricket team visits Pakistan, pending government approval.

Naqvi addressed concerns about India’s participation, emphasizing his optimism about the Indian team’s involvement. He also highlighted that preparations for the tournament are on track, with plans to upgrade the venues before the event. “The Indian team should come. I don’t see them cancel or postpone coming here, and we are confident we will host all the teams in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan,” Naqvi stated in Lahore. He further assured that the stadiums will be in top condition and any further enhancements will be completed post-tournament.

Tournament Background and Developments

The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature teams from around the globe, and the draft schedule proposes all India matches to be held in Lahore. However, a final decision from India is still pending and will be taken by the Indian government. Recently, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla indicated that the Indian government’s stance will determine their participation.

During a press conference, Naqvi was asked about a potential meeting with India’s Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, who is visiting Pakistan for the SCO Council of Heads of Government conclave on October 15-16. Naqvi played down the possibility, stating, “He is coming but I don’t think the details of his meetings have been set.”

Babar Azam’s Resignation and Team Selection Discussions

The PCB chairman was also questioned about Babar Azam’s resignation from Pakistan’s white-ball captaincy. Addressing the issue, Naqvi shared that he had asked the selection committee to take their time to make a thoughtful decision about Babar’s successor. The emphasis was on ensuring a long-term appointment that aligns with the team’s future plans.

Naqvi also confirmed that he inquired about the possibility of introducing new talent to the national team. The selection committee, along with the team’s captain and head coach, were content with the current player setup, and thus no immediate changes are planned.

PCB begins hiring process for white-ball coaches ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Aditya Bhagchandani — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:58:46 +0000

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started the hiring process for new coaches for the men’s cricket team, with a special focus on preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This tournament will be the first ICC event held in Pakistan since the 1996 ODI World Cup.

Coaching Roles Open for Applications

Positions Available:
- The PCB is seeking a fielding coach, a mental performance coach, and a special skills coach specifically for white-ball cricket.
- These roles are crucial as Pakistan gears up for the upcoming Champions Trophy, where they aim to perform at their best.
Current Coaches:
- Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten are already on board as head coaches for the Test and ODI-T20I teams, respectively. Tim Nielsen serves as the high-performance coach.
- The fielding and mental performance coach roles were previously held by Simon Helmot and David Reid during the T20 World Cup, but these positions are now open.

Focus on Champions Trophy 2025

Tournament Significance:
- The Champions Trophy 2025 is a priority for the PCB as it marks Pakistan’s return to hosting a major ICC event after nearly three decades.
- Renovations are underway at two of the three venues selected for the tournament, underscoring the board’s commitment to delivering a successful event.

Application Details

Application Deadline:
- Interested candidates for these coaching positions can submit their applications until September 4.

Pakistan Women’s Team

Coaching Search:
- The PCB is also in search of a permanent head coach for the Pakistan women’s cricket team.
- Muhammad Wasim served as the interim head coach during the Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in June, but the board is now looking for a long-term solution.

PCB upgrades stadiums for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Aditya Bhagchandani — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 18:22:07 +0000

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is investing heavily in preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by installing new floodlights at key stadiums across the country. With an approved budget of INR 586 crore, the PCB is enhancing the facilities to ensure top-notch conditions for the tournament.

Key Upgrades and Stadiums

Stadiums Receiving New Floodlights:
- National Stadium, Karachi: New floodlights are being installed.
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: Also receiving new floodlights.
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium: Will get floodlights currently used at the National Stadium.
Renting Floodlights:
- The PCB plans to rent floodlights for Karachi and Lahore to save costs. These will be moved to smaller venues such as:
  - Bugti Stadium, Quetta
  - Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
  - Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar

Ensuring Smooth Operations

Tender Process:
- The PCB has started inviting tenders for light towers on a rental basis from August 2025 to July 2026. This aims to ensure that both major and smaller venues are equipped with international-standard lighting.
Power Supply Improvements:
- New generators will be installed to address frequent power fluctuations in Pakistan. These generators will support floodlights at multiple stadiums, including:
  - Karachi
  - Lahore
  - Rawalpindi
  - Multan
  - Faisalabad
  - Abbottabad
  - Quetta
  - Peshawar

The PCB’s comprehensive upgrade plan is designed to prevent disruptions similar to those experienced during the PSL 2024 season, ensuring a smooth and successful ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.