Photo Credit: LinkedIn Profile Photo of Geoff Allardice
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Geoff Allardice has confirmed that there are no current plans to relocate the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from Pakistan. The tournament is scheduled to take place from February to March 2025.
In preparation for the event, extensive renovations are underway at major stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. These venues are being upgraded to meet international standards and will host key matches.
Despite ongoing speculation about the possibility of moving the tournament due to safety concerns and political tensions between India and Pakistan, Allardice reassured that no teams have expressed a desire to withdraw. During a press conference for the Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai, he addressed these concerns and emphasized that the tournament is set to proceed as planned.
Pakistan, the defending ICC Champions Trophy champions, won the 2017 tournament in England under former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, defeating India in a thrilling final. Allardice expressed satisfaction with Pakistan hosting the event, noting that the ICC regularly visits its member nations to ensure smooth event management.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, often referred to as the “Mini World Cup,” will feature eight top teams: South Africa, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, England, and India. Sri Lanka and the West Indies will not participate this season.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is enthusiastic about hosting the tournament, marking their first opportunity to host an ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup. However, India’s participation remains uncertain, as India has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and bilateral relations between the two nations have been largely suspended.
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