Lahore, An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation, in Pakistan to evaluate venues for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, met with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi today. The delegation’s visit underscores the collaborative efforts between the PCB and ICC in gearing up for the prestigious tournament.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the ICC delegation, led by Chris Tetley, Head of Events at ICC, and accompanied by Sarah Edgar, Senior Manager of Event Operations, and Aun Zaidi, Manager of Event Operations, engaged in thorough discussions with PCB officials about the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. The PCB’s COO Salman Naseer, Director International Cricket Usman Wahla, and other PCB officials also took part in the meeting.
Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi expressed Pakistan’s enthusiasm for hosting an ICC tournament, recognizing the importance of the event for cricket fans throughout the country. He assured that the PCB is committed to providing first-rate facilities and is set to upgrade three major venues ahead of the Champions Trophy. Naqvi pledged the PCB’s unwavering dedication to ensuring a successful and unforgettable tournament.
In a related development, the PCB announced the Inter-Club One-Day tournament scheduled for April, which will involve cricket clubs from across the 16 regions of Pakistan. Participation is open to all cricket clubs registered under the PCB Constitution 2014, with the latest notified list of clubs post the 2023 elections being recognized as final.
The PCB also plans to initiate a registration process for new clubs. Interested clubs are encouraged to apply with their respective District/Zonal Cricket Association, aligning with the Model Constitution’s provisions. The upcoming tournament, featuring at least three matches for each club in the pool stage, aims to revive the competitive spirit of club cricket and discover new talent.
Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi stressed the significance of club cricket in the national cricket landscape and its historic role in nurturing skilled players. He is confident that the PCB Inter-Club One-Day tournament will be fruitful in tapping into the pool of aspiring cricketers.
Abdullah Khurram Niazi, Director of Domestic Cricket Operations at PCB, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the tournament’s objective to provide substantial and competitive opportunities to numerous cricket clubs and players across the nation. With more than 6,000 matches anticipated, the tournament is a vital part of Chairman Naqvi’s vision for domestic cricket.