In just less than one week, Pakistan will etch its name in history books as it hosts an ICC event after a gap of nearly three decades. The Champions Trophy 2025 is poised to reignite the nation's passion for cricket, with excitement soaring to unprecedented heights. The last time Pakistan played host to a high-profile cricketing spectacle was in 1996 when the Qaddafi Stadium witnessed the thrilling Cricket World Cup final between Sri Lanka and Australia.
Twenty-nine years have passed since then, a period that has seen the rise of two new generations of cricket enthusiasts. Despite the country's cricketing prowess, Pakistan has been deprived of the thrill of international cricket on home soil – until now. With CT 2025 on its soil, Pakistan is ready to reclaim its rightful place in the cricketing world, and once again, ICC Champion Trophy 2025 going to be an unforgettable experience, a mini-World Cup that will showcase Pakistan’s unbridled passion for the sport.
The current PCB administration deserves credit for its proactive approach, which has resulted in the successful completion of stadium renovation work within a remarkably short period of six months. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and his team have worked tirelessly, day and night, to prevent any obstacles from arising that could deprive Pakistan of hosting the Champions Trophy. Their relentless efforts paid off when ICC President Jay Shah (formerly Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India) announced the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, albeit under the 'hybrid model', on December 24 last year. Now, PCB has announced plans to host the Champions Trophy opening ceremony on February 16 at Hazuri Bagh, a picturesque venue situated adjacent to the historic Lahore Fort.
Is Pakistan geared up for the ultimate cricket showdown?
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi's vision deserves commendation for prioritising the future of Pakistan cricket. In August last year, he took the bold decision to initiate renovation work at the Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi stadiums, despite the daunting six-month deadline. At the time, his decision was met with skepticism and criticism from cricket circles, with many questioning whether the stadiums could be completed within such a tight timeframe and whether this decision would jeopardise the hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi personally oversaw the renovation work not only at the Gaddafi Stadium but also at the Karachi and Rawalpindi stadiums, ensuring that all construction work was completed within the designated timelines.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has witnessed an overwhelming response to ticket sales for the Champions Trophy 2025, with a staggering 30% increase in sales, prompting a 10% increase in ticket allocation for the 10 matches and one semifinal
The Gaddafi Stadium: Pakistan's answer to the iconic Lord's
As the world watches, Pakistan stands proud, its determination and capability on full display. A staggering 12 billion rupees and countless man-hours have transformed the nation's cricket stadiums into veritable temples of the sport. The Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan's cricketing heartbeat, has been reborn. This iconic venue, once a relic of a bygone era, now shines with a renewed sense of purpose, its world-class facilities rivaling those of the most revered stadiums globally. In just 117 days, Mohsin Naqvi has spearheaded the completion of construction and renovation work at three major stadiums: Gaddafi Stadium, National Stadium Stadium, and Rawalpindi Stadium and this milestone was achieved in collaboration with over 2,500 laborers– At a time when international cricket circles were abuzz with doubts about Pakistan's ability to complete stadium renovations on time, Mohsin Naqvi's unwavering faith in Pakistani laborers proved instrumental.
The last time, Gaddafi Stadium underwent such a metamorphosis was in 1996, when it played host to the World Cup. Today, a new generation of cricket enthusiasts is poised to experience the magic of international cricket on home soil. As the curtains draw open on this transformed stadium, one thing is clear: the Gaddafi Stadium has become Pakistan's own Lord's, a hallowed ground where memories are forged and legends are born. The future of cricket in Pakistan has never looked brighter.
Clash of the Titans on Feb 23!
The Champions Trophy features 8 teams divided into two groups, with each team playing three group matches. Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside New Zealand, India, and Bangladesh. Pakistan's first match is scheduled against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. This will be followed by the highly anticipated and high-voltage clash between Pakistan and India on February 23 in Dubai.
A glance at the past records of Pakistan's Group A, opponents reveals that, except for India, Pakistan's ODI record against New Zealand and Bangladesh has been impressive. Pakistan has not lost to New Zealand in any ICC event over the past nine years, with their last defeat coming in the 2016 T20 World Cup. The numbers also favor Pakistan against Bangladesh, with their last ICC event loss to the Tigers occurring way back in the 1999 World Cup. In the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy, India stands as the sole team that Pakistan has failed to defeat since their 2017 Champions Trophy final victory. This psychological hurdle will undoubtedly weigh on Team Pakistan. Their last encounters were in the 2023 World Cup and Asia Cup, where India emerged victorious with ease. Pakistan has suffered defeats at the hands of India in the 2018 Asia Cup (twice), 2019 World Cup, and 2023 World Cup and Asia Cup. However, this time around, Pakistan has a rare opportunity to settle the score in Dubai on July 23. Cricket pundits predict that defending champions Pakistan are poised to reach the finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Ticket Sales for Cricket Matches Now Underway
Pakistan's cricket frenzy is in full swing! The Pakistan Cricket Board has witnessed an overwhelming response to ticket sales for the Champions Trophy 2025, with a staggering 30% increase in sales, prompting a 10% increase in ticket allocation for the 10 matches and one semifinal. And when, the ICC announced ticket sales for matches in Dubai, including the highly anticipated clash of the titans –Pakistan vs. India on February 23, the tickets were sold out within an hour. However, tickets for the Champions Trophy 2025 final, scheduled for March 9, will go on sale on March 4, after the semifinal match. This delay has left cricket enthusiasts somewhat disappointed, primarily due to the tournament's 'hybrid model' format. Nevertheless, the Champions Trophy 2025 presents Pakistan with a unique opportunity to prove itself and PCB must seize this chance to successfully host the tournament. The public in Pakistan is eagerly anticipating this ICC event, and if successful, Pakistan can reclaim its lost glory in the cricketing world, once again.
The revival of cricket: A Shared Passion
It's been almost 12 years since India and Pakistan last played a bilateral cricket series, a period that has been marked by an unrelenting passion for the sport among fans on both sides of the border. Despite the absence of bilateral series, cricket matches between the two teams have continued to take place on media screens, setting new viewership records and perpetuating a rivalry that transcends the sport itself. Since independence, cricket has been a symbol of rivalry between the two nations, evoking intense emotions and patriotic fervor among fans, who have traditionally regarded matches between the two teams as a matter of national pride. Whenever the Pakistan-India match took place, people would rush to close their shops, suspend their daily routines, and gather in front of TV screens to witness the intense competition, which often had a profound impact on the national psyche. Unfortunately, political interests intervened, and bilateral cricket series between the two countries were put on hold, much to the dismay of fans who had grown accustomed to the thrill of watching their teams clash on the cricket field.
Pakistan is all set to host a major ICC event after a gap of 29 years, with the entire cricket world, especially India, watching closely to see how successfully the tournament will be conducted
Nevertheless, the teams have continued to face each other in ICC events and Asia Cup matches, which have served as a reminder of the enduring appeal of the rivalry and the passion that it inspires among fans.
Today, Pakistan is all set to host a major ICC event after a gap of 29 years, with the entire cricket world, especially India, watching closely to see how successfully the tournament will be conducted. Despite this, people are determined to make the event a success with their traditional enthusiasm and passion. For Pakistan, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is not just a cricket tournament, but an opportunity for the return of international cricket to its grounds. A population of 240 million still yearns to see the Indian team play on their soil.
The 12-year gap has been long enough for an entire generation of youth to grow up without witnessing the traditional India-Pakistan cricket matches. They wish to see cricket legend Virat Kohli bat on their home ground. When the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was negotiating with the ICC Board for the Champions Trophy 2025, they expressed their desire to play a neutral-venue tri-nation cricket series with India, possibly in Dubai. Although the proposal was rejected and not included in the ICC's press release issued on December 24, there is no doubt that the public on both sides eagerly awaiting the revival of Pakistan-India cricket matches. India last toured Pakistan during the 2008 Asia Cup, while Pakistan's last cricket series in India was in 2012-13. Since then, both the teams have only faced each other in ICC events or Asia Cup matches.
The revival of cricket matches between India and Pakistan is a dream that has been nurtured by enthusiasts on both sides for far too long. With the ICC Champions Trophy just around the corner, the time has finally arrived to turn this vision into reality. In less than ten days, Pakistan will roll out the red carpet to host the cricketing world, with the extravaganza set to kick off on February 19. The excitement is palpable, with fans on both sides of the border eagerly anticipating the return of international cricket to Pakistani shores. For India and Pakistan, cricket is more than just a sport - it's a shared passion that courses through their veins like lifeblood. And as the countdown begins, one thing is certain: the thrill of India-Pakistan cricket is about to be rekindled!