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
https://arab.news/4fetv
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
Officer killed as police repulse militant attack in Pakistan's northwest
- The militants attacked a police station in Bajaur district that borders Afghanistan
- Police have launched an operation to hunt down the attackers, a spokesman says
PESHAWAR: A police officer was killed as law enforcers repulsed a militant attack on a police station in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, an official said on Sunday.
A group of militants attacked the police station in Wara Mamund tehsil of KP's Bajaur district in wee hours of Sunday, according to district police spokesman Muhammad Israr.
“The police fought for more than 40 minutes before the attack was foiled,” he told Arab News. “Additional SHO (station house officer) Gul Mahmood Din was killed, whereas other cops remained safe.”
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have frequently carried out attacks against security forces and police in the region that borders Afghanistan.
Israr said police have launched a large-scale operation to hunt down the attackers.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP in recent years.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil and India of backing militant groups for attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi deny this.
