To prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has set aside 17 billion rupees to renovate stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Additionally, at a recent meeting in Lahore, the PCB’s Board of Governors approved 240 million rupees for women’s cricket – a significant increase from the 70 million rupees budgeted in the previous year.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi informed the Board of Governors that the upcoming Champions Trophy would be hosted entirely in Pakistan. He stated this matter would be discussed further at the ICC’s annual board meeting scheduled for later this month in Colombo.
The primary purpose of the meeting was to approve the 2024-25 PCB budget. During that season, Pakistan is scheduled to host Bangladesh, England, and West Indies, as well as a tri-series tournament prior to the Champions Trophy. Additionally, Pakistan will tour Australia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Naqvi notified that stadium upgrade projects had commenced, as the Board sought to enhance spectator facilities and transform the venues into A-class stadiums.
The BOG approved nearly 13 billion rupees from development funds to finance work on three stadiums. Additionally, they allocated 4.5 billion rupees for organizing the domestic cricket season. The BOG was also informed that the board had decided to increase the central contract fees and salaries for women’s cricketers and domestic players.
“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has increased the budget to enhance the level of competition and strengthen the structures in both domestic and women’s cricket,” stated Naqvi to the Board of Governors.