Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @icctrophytour
Next week, Pakistan will host its first major multi-country cricket tournament in nearly 30 years, with the ICC Champions Trophy marking a significant milestone for the country. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is hopeful that the successful execution of this event will open the door for more international tournaments in the future.
The road to this moment has not been easy. After the 2009 attack on a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, top international teams avoided Pakistan, forcing the country to relocate home matches, primarily to the UAE. Over the years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) worked hard to rebuild the country’s image as a safe venue for international cricket. The breakthrough came in 2017, when Pakistan successfully hosted its own T20 league, the PSL, featuring foreign players on home soil.
“The ICC (International Cricket Council) Champions Trophy 2025 is a culmination of those efforts,” Naqvi told Reuters. “Our successful hosting of this event will further enhance Pakistan’s credentials, positioning us as a strong contender for more ICC events in the next event cycle.”
Pakistan had previously staged the 1996 World Cup after winning the previous edition of cricket’s premier event, but the country’s cricketing fortunes took a downturn due to the rise of militancy after the war in neighboring Afghanistan. Since then, the PCB has been working relentlessly to restore confidence among international teams.
“Security has long ceased to be a concern for visiting teams as we have consistently demonstrated our ability to provide a safe, secure, and well-managed environment for international cricket,” Naqvi explained, adding that he also serves as the country’s internal security chief.
He continued, “Once we successfully staged home international series and consistently delivered PSL editions at world-class standards, the ICC accepted and recognized Pakistan’s readiness to host a global event.” Since 2019, all major Test-playing nations, with the exception of India, have toured Pakistan, some multiple times.
Naqvi pointed out that the return of teams like England and New Zealand, alongside the increasing number of international players in the PSL, is a testament to Pakistan’s improving reputation. “As a result, they are already familiar with Pakistan’s world-class playing conditions, operational efficiency, and robust security measures,” he added.
However, Naqvi acknowledged that organizing a multi-team event like the Champions Trophy is far more challenging than hosting a single touring team. The PCB faced a monumental task in preparing for the event with a tight timeline, especially since the country’s stadiums had last undergone major renovations for the 1996 World Cup.
“We’ve made significant upgrades to two major grounds in Karachi and Lahore for the Champions Trophy in a last-minute facelift,” Naqvi said, emphasizing the massive effort required to meet the evolving global cricketing standards.
As the Champions Trophy approaches, Naqvi remains optimistic that Pakistan’s successful hosting of this prestigious event will solidify its position as a key contender for future ICC events.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
