Champions Trophy 2025: Stadia incomplete in Pakistan, ICC Tournament fate hangs in balance | Exclusive

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Like updates being provided for a patient on a ventilator in critical care, zero updates on the fate of the Champions Trophy 2025 continue. It is well known, that he premier ICC event will take place from February 19, but are the venues in Pakistan ready? No, they are not.

Pakistani journalists and YouTubers are themselves trying to project as if the renovated stadium in Lahore and a few more cities will be world-class. Showing floodlights erected is fine, below what appears below is mud and debris, which is unfinished construction.

The revised deadline, one hears, is January 30, but can the venues and stands be ready is a million-dollar question. Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah Injury: Who can replace pacer in India Squad for Champions Trophy 2025?

Last week, an ICC team did a review in Pakistan but no official briefing was put out. That adds another layer of intrigue. Has the patience of the ICC been stretched like an elastic that they will take a call soon?

Never before has one nation put the ICC through so much embarrassment. As it is, with India refusing to travel across the border, it's a slap for the hosts. India will be playing all their matches in Dubai. Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: India may play One Warm-Up Match, Bangladesh or UAE likely opponents - Report

What is baffling, stadia work is incomplete and there will be further checks on safety as well in Pakistan. One cannot have civil work jobs undertaken and fitness certificates not issued to verify the stadia are safe.

The Pakistan media has been baiting India periodically as if they are responsible for the delay! All this does not add up, with the latest photos again worrying. Pakistan is a corrupt state and for them to have failed so miserably in putting up infrastructure can cause more trouble.

In the next three days, one will hear officially from the ICC if all Champions Trophy matches will be held in Pakistan or if the whole tournament can be moved to world-class stadia in the United Arab Emirates. They (UAE) are more than willing to be the hosts.

MyKhel spoke to some Pakistani journalists as well and the feedback is negative. "Yes, the stadia work is delayed so badly, even we are worried," said one journalist.

For those who ridiculed India when the stadia work for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi was delayed, what's going on in Pakistan is a mess. As of now, even the Pakistan Cricket Board has also decided to keep quiet.

They are more busy fighting on petty topics like the Pakistan logo on the jersey and whether Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the opening ceremony!

First, get the venues ready and then talk about welcoming guests. India, certainly, does not have to oblige Pakistan. When the Indian Central Government decided to put its foot down and say no to travelling to Pakistan, it was emphatic. From a fans' point of view, people want to travel to Dubai and watch more matches.

If the whole Champions Trophy gets shifted, that would be even more delightful. And, it can happen, say sources. Ticketing continues to remain a worry as well, but the ICC will do it soon, online, efficiently. Here, too, venues not ready in Pakistan are the reason for the delay.

Last info, for Pakistani fans to travel to the UAE is also now an issue. Visa issues have cropped up, so Pakistan is left red-faced. Very soon, the ICC will tell the world what's in store. Shifting out the event may be the best thing.