Pakistan is all set to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. From almost losing out on the hosting rights to getting the three venues renovated on time for the progress of the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board deserves much credit for completing the arrangements on time.
Matches will be played across three venues namely, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. Apart from the three venues, Dubai will host the matches played by the Indian cricket team. Dubai will host the first semi-final on March 4 and might also host the final if India qualifies.
Pakistan recently played the Tri-Series in Karachi and Lahore against South Africa and New Zealand. Playing at home and on home conditions, the Men in Green are among the favourites to win the tournament.
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However, before the tournament begins from February 19, former Pakistan cricketer and PCB chief Ramiz Raja has made a massive comment. Pakistan is hosting an ICC event as the solo hosts almost after a gap of 30 years. Between all of these none of the teams wanted to visit and play in Pakistan given the constant security concerns in the country.
Ramiz Raja spoke about Pakistan's transition as a cricket-loving country and about the safety issues related to hosting the event in an exclusive interview with AFP.
"Convincing the world that Pakistan is a safe country and that it is capable of delivering such a global event from an administration point of view took serious hard work and convincing," former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja told AFP.
There were many obstacles in the path of Pakistan giving the hosting rights. BCCI's unwillingness to send its players to play in Pakistan was a big reason why the ICC thought about shifting the tournament to the UAE. Later the issue was resolved with the ICC finally declaring that India and Pakistan will play their matches in ICC tournaments in the UAE.
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Pakistan had been due to host the Champions Trophy, the premier ODI event after the World Cup, in 2008. However, the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 by the Pakistan terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba made the world take notice of an increase in terrorism in the country. None of the teams then wanted to play in Pakistan which was a big dent on PCB as an organisation.
There were proper security checks by a team from the ICC who went to the three venues and had a check themselves. With Pakistan finally hosting an ICC event the board must ensure that they do get to host more ICC events in the future for cricket to grow in the country.
