Lahore Ready for ICC Champions Trophy
With the tournament set to begin, Pakistan's team is prepared to face the challenges ahead, and the country is ready to showcase its passion for cricket, despite the concerns surrounding the hosting of the final match, the event is expected to be an action-packed tournament.
The ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice has praised the rapid redevelopment of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which took just 117 days, as Pakistan prepares to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a golden opportunity to showcase its passion for cricket.
Pakistan's interim head coach and selector Aaqib Javed believes the team has what it takes to win the tournament, despite losing to New Zealand in the tri-nation ODI series. Aaqib expressed confidence in the team's preparation and firepower in their bowling to beat the best teams. The team will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on Wednesday, followed by matches against India and Bangladesh.
The 1996 World Cup, co-hosted by Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka, was a significant event in Pakistan's cricket history, with the team playing all their group matches at home and reaching the final. However, the current relationship between Pakistan and India has aged poorly, with the two boards having a strained relationship, which may affect the hosting of the final match in Pakistan.
Former ICC chairman Ehsan Mani believes that the ICC should have gotten involved in the negotiations between Pakistan and India to ensure that the tournament was hosted in Pakistan. Despite the challenges, Pakistan is eager to host the tournament successfully, with the redevelopment of Gaddafi Stadium and National Stadium in Karachi showcasing the country's capabilities.
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, cricket fans in Pakistan are excited to witness some of the best cricket in the country, with the team ready to take on the best teams in the world and make the tournament a success.
