Champions Trophy 2025: Incomplete stadia in Pakistan, tournament could be moved over to UAE

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is worried that the Pakistan leg of the Champions Trophy 2025 will have to be moved over to Dubai and two more venues in the United Arab Emirates.

It is well known that for months, the Pakistan Cricket Board has been bluffing the world that its venues will be ready. They are still not ready, and the major venues in Pakistan look like rubble. Perhaps rubble from a construction site would be the first impression one gets when photos are seen.

MyKhel spoke to a few Pakistani journalists as well. They are not one bit surprised the ICC is worried and may have to draw up a contingency plan. One sports media expert who moved to Britain recently said: "First concern even six weeks ago was not just the venues being in a mess but whether Pakistan will get hosting rights. Don't believe the PCB, it's a mess at the venues," said the journalist. For obvious reasons, the journalist did not want identity to be revealed as the PCB likes to 'pamper' their media. Not all fall for the bait.

The deadline for completion of construction is so near that the ICC is worried. Yet again the PCB held a press conference on Wednesday and said "all is well". No, all is not well. The ICC cannot trust the PCB. There is a lot of prestige at stake for the ICC after what happened at the ICC T20 World Cup in New York last year. At that time, too, the stadium on the outskirts of New York was not fully complete. That matches were held there was worrying.

It is well known, with an Indian now heading the ICC, nothing can be left to chance or last minute. Everyone knows ICC Chairman Jay Shah is a diligent professional who will not want to see anything like the visuals coming from Pakistan. The PCB is aware ICC officials will go to Pakistan for a survey this weekend. A contingency plan has to be kept ready, move the entire Champions Trophy to the UAE. Given the cold weather and how slow-paced work has been going on in the stadia in Pakistan, there is cause for concern.

India had refused to travel to Pakistan, after failing to get clearance from the Central Government. There is no way India will allow sporting ties with a nation which perpetuates terror and 'hosts' dons who have damaged India. When Pakistan and the PCB did tough posturing, it was agreed that Pakistan would not travel for any ICC events over the next three years. Now, the situation has changed. If UAE is going to host the entire Champions Trophy, then Pakistan cuts a sorry figure. It is unsafe and unprepared. India knew Pakistan was incapable of being a good host. Forget security, not even having the infrastructure ready is a shame.

This time, it's not India vs Pakistan, mind you. It is ICC versus Pakistan. The Champions Trophy is a blue-riband ICC event. They cannot leave it to Pakistan. The show has to be a good one, even if egos will get bruised further in Pakistan. So, for that, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah may be good venues.