CT 2025 National Karachi Stadium Renovation Update: Less than 47 days are left for the opening match of Champions Trophy 2025. Which is being hosted by Pakistan and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is already busy in preparations. This is because the repair work of National Karachi Stadium has now become a big challenge for it. The tournament is to start next month and the opening match is to be played between Pakistan and New Zealand on 19 February at the National Karachi Stadium. However, due to incomplete construction work, all the matches of the stadium had to be shifted to another venue.
Which matches were shifted?
A PCB official said that it was impossible to organize the match in the under-construction stadium. This decision also affected the final of Pakistan’s domestic tournament, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which was shifted from National Karachi Stadium to United Bank Limited Sports Complex in Karachi. Similarly, the Test series against West Indies was also shifted from Karachi to Multan Cricket Stadium.
What work is left in the stadium?
Slow pace of work is a matter of concern for PCB. The work, which was to be completed by December 15, 2024, is still incomplete. PCB has instructed the construction company to speed up the work, so that there is no hindrance in hosting the Champions Trophy.
For the Champions Trophy 2025, PCB has started the repair and renovation work of three major stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi at a cost of Rs 12 billion. For the National Karachi Stadium, the focus is on facilities like renovation of the main building, new dressing room, media centre, hospitality box and new electronic scoreboard.
Team India’s matches will be played in Dubai
Champions Trophy 2025 is being organized on hybrid model. Which is being hosted by Pakistan. But in this tournament, India’s matches are to be played in Dubai International Stadium. India’s first match is to be played against Bangladesh on 20 February, the second match is to be played against Pakistan on 23 February and the third Test match is to be played against New Zealand on 2 March. These three matches are group stage matches.
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