Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy 2025 on a hybrid model after India declined to send its team because of security issues. India, therefore, played all its matches in Dubai, while Pakistan hosted games in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
In spite of setbacks such as match washouts, security issues, and Pakistan’s early elimination from the tournament, experts in the country are of the opinion that the event was a success and may open the door to more international cricket in the country.
Challenges: Rain, Early Exit, and Financial Concerns
Three games in Pakistan were abandoned because of rain, which impacted general fan interest. The tournament lost its steam further when Pakistan was knocked out early following losses against New Zealand and India.
While PCB concentrated on providing a world-class event, there are still financial worries. The board invested 1.8 billion Pakistani rupees on the renovation of stadiums but lost money as a result of washouts of matches, for which tickets needed to be returned.
Security Measures: A Key Success
Despite security fears, Pakistan managed to provide a safe environment for players and officials. The nation sent 16,000 police and paramilitary troops to host cities.
Security officials praised the arrangements. “It is what it is for Pakistan cricket. Given that we even had another terror incident in Bannu a day before the semifinal (between South Africa and New Zealand) in Lahore, we should be happy that we managed to host such a big event without any incident,” said cricket analyst Omair Alavi.
Dave Musker, safety and security manager of ICC, also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts, saying, “I would say that Pakistan did well to host the event without a single incident. All eyes were on our security personnel in the tournament and they delivered.”
Mixed Reactions of Players on Security
While some players appreciated the security arrangements for Champions Trophy 2025, others pointed out the stark difference between the security arrangements in Pakistan and Dubai.
Australia’s Steve Smith, South Africa’s Temba Bavuma, and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner said they felt much more at ease in Dubai than under the strict security in Pakistan.
Nevertheless, security officials confirmed that they prioritized safety at the expense of convenience. “We attempted to meet the requirements of teams and players and provide them with a more comfortable ambiance. But we had a job to do and we had to take that into consideration as well,” Senior Superintendent of Police Imran Jamil told The Express Tribune, who commanded security arrangements in Karachi.
Financial Setback and Debate Over Stadium Revamps
The PCB had looked for major financial gains from staging the tournament but was hit with setbacks by rain-damaged matches. The board is paid a guaranteed hosting fee of $600,000, plus ticket sales, hospitality box, and sponsorship revenues. But rain-triggered washouts led to the PCB refunding ticket sales, hurting its receipts.
Experts wondered if the PCB’s 1.8 billion Pakistani rupee spend on stadium upgrades was worth it, particularly considering Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the tournament.
“More emphasis was given to the stadiums than to cricket,” opined former Test seamer Seikander Bakht. He felt that rather than developing the existing facilities, the money could have been utilized to construct a new stadium in Islamabad or develop smaller centers like Faisalabad, Peshawar, Hyderabad, and Sialkot.
Veteran cricketer Iqbal Qasim opined that Pakistan was keen on displaying its capability to stage international events, but the non-availability of proper drainage facilities at Gaddafi Stadium, leading to the abandonment of the Australia-Afghanistan match, did not go down well.
Pakistan’s Cricket Future: What Next?
Despite drawbacks, the PCB finds silver linings in staging the Champions Trophy. “It was a bummer that our team didn’t do well and that understandably hit the interest level in later matches. But otherwise things went smoothly,” a PCB official explained.
Ex-Pakistan cricket administrator Arif Ali Khan Abbasi feels the event could be used by the PCB to get more international competitions in the country. But he noted that financial gains would be restricted unless India compromises to play in Pakistan.
“I think until we can’t convince the Indian team to play in Pakistan in even ICC or Asian-level events and end this hybrid scheduling, we will really not gain financially… which means (not) having funds to improve our domestic infrastructure,” he stated.
Conclusion: Success or a Missed Opportunity?
Pakistan’s staging of the Champions Trophy 2025 demonstrated that it could handle international cricket tournaments despite difficulties. Security arrangements were commended, but financial issues and the poor performance of the team questioned the long-term effects of the event.
The tournament can potentially pave the way for future international cricket in Pakistan, but to best utilize hosting rights, the PCB will need to fix critical issues, such as match timetables, weather preparedness, and local cricket development.