ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday refuted reports of changes in the schedule of International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025, saying it was “fully committed” to hosting the tournament.
The statement came a day after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said none of Pakistan’s cricket stadiums could meet international standards in their present condition as he reviewed construction work at Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The PCB said a section of local media “misconstrued” Naqvi’s comments regarding the upgradation of three Pakistani cricket stadiums where the ICC Champions Trophy is supposed to be held, clarifying that the “redevelopment and redesign” of the stadiums would be completed on time.
“The PCB categorically denies the recent media reports suggesting that the dates for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan might be rescheduled,” the board said on Tuesday. “The PCB is fully committed to hosting a world-class ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at three of Pakistan’s iconic venues.”
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be held from February 19 till March 9 next year in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. The tournament will be the first ICC event to be held in Pakistan since the 1996 One-Day International (ODI) World Cup.
The PCB expressed disappointment over the “unnecessary sensationalism” created by local media outlets in this regard.
“The PCB chairman also mentioned that while some domestic matches may need to be shifted to facilitate uninterrupted construction work, this in no way pertains to the ICC Champions Trophy, which remains a priority for the PCB as a premier eight-team international event,” it said, promising an “unforgettable experience” for cricket fans at the Champions Trophy.
PCB refutes reports of changes in ICC Champions Trophy schedule
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PCB refutes reports of changes in ICC Champions Trophy schedule
- Statement comes day after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said none of Pakistan’s stadiums could meet international standards in present condition
- The PCB says some media outlets ‘misconstrued’ Naqvi’s comments, promises fans an ‘unforgettable experience’ at ICC Champions Trophy 2025
In rare engagement, KP raises fund release issues with Pakistan’s federal authorities
- PTI-ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has previously complained of limited financial cooperation from Islamabad
- Talks follow a rise in militant violence in the province and a PM-CM meeting on security and development
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb met Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Finance Adviser Muzamil Aslam on Tuesday to discuss the release of funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC) and other fiscal matters, in a rare instance of visible engagement despite strained relations between the two sides.
The KP government, led by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, has in the past complained of a lack of financial cooperation from Islamabad.
The talks came amid a rise in militant violence in and around KP’s tribal districts, which were merged into the province in 2018 but continue to face acute development challenges.
“The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team highlighted the operational and development imperatives in the merged districts and underscored the importance of predictable and timely releases to sustain ongoing schemes and meet pressing needs on the ground,” the finance ministry said in a statement circulated after the meeting.
“The Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue listened to the issues raised by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa delegation and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to cooperative federalism and constructive engagement with the provinces,” it added.
The finance minister assured the KP team of the ministry’s support “in pursuing and facilitating their rightful claims for allocations under the NFC and other relevant heads discussed during the meeting, in accordance with applicable rules, agreed frameworks, and due process.”
The ministry said discussions also covered ongoing consultations on NFC-related matters, including technical discussions and sub-group engagements, with both sides agreeing to maintain close coordination through relevant forums to address outstanding issues and support development objectives and service delivery.
The conversation between the KP and federal authorities came only a day after a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in which they discussed closer collaboration on security and development.
The meeting was notable given Pakistan’s deeply polarized political landscape where Sharif’s administration and Khan’s PTI party have mostly hurled accusations against each other, making such institutional engagements rare between them.
