The capacity of the Pakistan Cricket Board is in doubt.Image credit source: PCB
The Pakistan Cricket Board is working hard to organize the Champions Trophy 2025 entirely in their country. Currently, the biggest obstacle in their way remains the Indian team because the Indian government has refused to send the team to Pakistan citing the safety of its players. While Pakistan continually claims to provide a high level of security and threats to everyone from the ICC to the BCCI, its ability to host the event is now in doubt. Even before the Champions Trophy, the Pakistani board had to cancel one of its own tournaments because a huge fire broke out in the hotel where the players were staying.
The players narrowly escaped and the tournament was cancelled.
According to a statement from the PCB, the Pakistani board had to suddenly and completely cancel its national women’s tournament, the National Women’s Championship 2024-25. Five teams participated in this tournament that was held at the National Stadium in Karachi. PCB had fully reserved one floor of the hotel for the players and officials of all these teams. Suddenly a fire broke out on this same floor, which scared everyone. During this time, 5 players were in their respective hotel rooms but were somehow immediately saved.
Most of the players and officials were reportedly present at the Karachi stadium at the time of the incident, some of whom were playing matches and others practicing in the nets. During this time, only 5 players were in the hotel, who were evacuated in time, which prevented a serious accident. According to the PCB statement, some players’ belongings were definitely affected. Due to this, the management had to cancel the tournament midway because currently they cannot get 100 rooms in any hotel in Karachi, hence this decision was taken.
Will Pakistan organize the Champions Trophy this way?
This accident has once again called into question Pakistan’s ability to host the Champions Trophy. 8 teams must participate in the Champions Trophy, of which the Indian team will not go to Pakistan but the rest of the teams will have to play their matches there. Three Pakistani stadiums, including the one in Karachi, are being rebuilt for the tournament, but that too will take a long time. Amidst all this, this incident only creates problems for the PCB. Does Pakistan want to host the Champions Trophy with such preparations?
