PTV Live: Pakistan Hosts ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The PCB is optimistic about the tournament's success, with the chairman stating that hosting the tournament is a significant step towards restoring the country's reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for international sports events, and PTV live will broadcast all the matches, allowing fans to watch their favorite teams compete.
Pakistan is set to host its first major multi-country cricket tournament in nearly 30 years, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, featuring the top eight teams in the world, amidst concerns over terrorism and a political crisis, with the government and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) believing the tournament will help restore confidence in the country as a tourism and investment destination.
The tournament will feature Pakistan, New Zealand, England, Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and India, which will play its matches in Dubai. The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, said the return of global cricket is not just about hosting matches but also about restoring pride, igniting national passion, and giving back to fans. Pakistan's security environment has improved significantly since the 2009 Lahore attack on Sri Lankan cricketers, and cricket teams have been touring the country since 2018.
Over 20,000 troops, including snipers, have been deployed in major cities to provide security for the tournament. Hotels, stadiums, and airports will be heavily guarded, and surveillance systems have been updated with 10,000 AI-powered facial recognition cameras. The law and order situation is considered relatively better, with Karachi's mayor saying the city is ready to host the tournament. The tournament promises to stabilize Pakistan's image, but the partial absence of arch-rivals India means it's not a full diplomatic success.
The ICC has announced the prize money for the 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19, with the tournament featuring eight teams competing for a grand prize of $2.24 million. The total prize pool has increased by 53% from the 2017 edition, reaching $6.9 million. The tournament is being held in Pakistan for the first time since 1996 and will be held every four years, featuring the world's top eight ODI teams.
