ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PAK journalist exposes ‘tournament-ready’ Gaddafi Stadium; fans say ‘half-baked solution’

Pakistan cricket stadium updates: With just a month to go before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off in Pakistan, there are growing concerns over whether the country's major stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi will be ready for the tournament. 

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 starts in Pakistan on February 19. The deadline for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hand over the stadiums to the International Cricket Council (ICC) is January 25.

Among the three venues, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was slated to undergo major reconstruction, including an increase in the spectator capacity from 21,500 to over 34,000. The revamp included a new pavilion with five-star facilities for players, match officials, and other dignitaries. Additionally, new seating and cutting-edge, high-resolution replay screens were also planned.

However, according to a video shared by a Pakistani journalist, the Gaddafi Stadium remains far from complete.

In the footage, the workers can be seen installing seats in only one block of the stadium, while the rest of the seating remains unfinished. The hospitality boxes at the Gaddafi Stadium, which are about 70 per cent complete, still have ongoing electrical work. 

The major talking point is the enclosure below the hospitality boxes, where iron poles and wooden moulds are visible, indicating incomplete construction. Weather conditions in Pakistan are believed to be contributing to delays in the reconstruction process.

Outside the stadium, the installation of glass panes in the main building has started, but much of the major groundwork remains unfinished. Piles of mud and bricks were seen stacked in the background, and workers were seen digging big holes. 

With just nine days left before the January 25 deadline, it seems increasingly unlikely that the Gaddafi Stadium will be fully ready for handover to the ICC. The installation of the floodlights and digital screens is still pending, adding to the uncertainty. 

Internet can't keep calm

Meanwhile, the internet can't keep calm at the sight of the half-built Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“Did the concrete cure in 9 days ? I see the steel and wood mould ready for concrete be poured ! It takes 2 weeks minimum,” wrote one user. 

Another questioned about the trails and safety checks: “What a weird guy. 30 days before a tournament starts and the stadium isn’t even ready let alone trials and safety checks, and he’s boosting? India has 6 times more world class stadiums, so we don’t need any advice [sic].” 

“Looking at the progress, it just can’t be ready before 25th Jan. If PCB is to handover it to ICC on 25th, it can only be a half baked solution [sic],” said another user.

What happens if the venues don't get ready on time? 

In case the venues aren't ready on time, there might be a possibility that the tournament will be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “It's a no-brainer on what would happen if PCB misses deadlines and venues don't meet ICC checklist,” a source was quoted as saying by ET. 

"Tournament can't be played at semi-ready venues. The next week will give more clarity on the future but PCB and ICC together need to pull off a miracle," the source added.