Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Faces Relocation as Stadiums Remain Incomplete 

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will start as early as next month. This year, the much-awaited tournament will be held in Dubai and Pakistan. However, there is not zero probability that the matches from Pakistan will be moved to the UAE. Experts cite security issues and ongoing stadium reconstruction as the reasons.

Problems with Stadiums 

CT 2025 is scheduled to start on February 19. At the same time, stadiums in Lahore and other major cities are still undergoing reconstruction. Local journalists report en masse that dirt and debris can be seen near the arenas. For this reason, they are worried that Pakistan will not be able to meet the high standards of the tournament. A revised deadline of January 30 has been tentatively set for the delivery of the stadiums. An ICC inspection team recently arrived in Pakistan to assess the situation. However, no insights have come from their visit, which only adds to the anxiety. 

Security Concerns 

Another major cause for alarm is Pakistan’s tense political environment and security concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is constantly monitoring safety arrangements to ensure that there are no security lapses, as the country will be hosting world-class athletes from England, Bangladesh, and the West Indies in the run-up to the tournament. Local journalists do not rule out the fact that safety lapses during these tours could lead to CT 2025 being moved to another country. 

Option to Move Tournament to UAE 

If Pakistan cannot secure the tournament and prepare the stadiums before it starts, insiders do not rule out moving the matches to another country. The logical solution is the UAE. Some matches will be held in Dubai anyway — India, which refused to play in Pakistan’s territory, will play there. The UAE has already announced that it is ready to host other matches. There is not much time left before the competition starts, so the ICC will decide soon.