India will play practice matches in Dubai before beginning their campaign in the upcoming Champions Trophy next month. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is working on the practice schedules for all eight participating teams and the practice facilities at the four venues. Additionally, the ICC is keeping a close watch on the renovation work at three stadiums in Pakistan.
According to media reports, ICC officials have not expressed any concerns regarding the ongoing stadium renovations. Renovation work is taking place at stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in preparation for the tournament. This will be the first major tournament in Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup. However, the tournament will follow a hybrid model, with India playing its matches in Dubai.
PCB Denies Reports of Delays in Stadium Readiness
Some media reports claimed that the stadiums in Pakistan may not be fully ready before the Champions Trophy, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dismissed these concerns on Wednesday. The PCB assured that preparations for the Champions Trophy are progressing well, and renovations at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Karachi’s National Bank Stadium will be completed ahead of schedule.
At Gaddafi Stadium, new seats are being installed, increasing the seating capacity to 35,000, along with 480 new LED lights. The renovation work is expected to be completed by the end of January. In Karachi, 350 LED lights are being installed, along with two large digital displays and 5,000 new seats. The PCB also mentioned that Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is adding 10,000 new seats, improved hospitality boxes, and two digital replay screens.
Champions Trophy to Begin on February 19
The Champions Trophy will take place under a hybrid model starting from February 19. The eight teams will be divided into two groups of four, with 12 league matches followed by semifinals and a final. The India-Pakistan match will be played on February 23 in Dubai. If India reaches the final, it will also be held in Dubai. India will begin their campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh, followed by matches against Pakistan and New Zealand on March 2. The final will take place on March 8.