Pakistan’s dream of hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has turned into a nightmare. Despite being the official host, the country has effectively lost its hosting duties. India’s refusal to play in Pakistan resulted in a deal that shifted matches to a neutral venue. As a result, the final will take place in Dubai, completely eliminating Pakistan from its role as host.
How Pakistan Lost Its Hosting Rights
The tournament was expected to be a grand return of international cricket to Pakistan, marking 29 years since the country last hosted an ICC event. However, a pre-arranged agreement meant that all Indian matches were scheduled in Dubai due to security and political concerns. When India reached the final, it ensured that the marquee clash would not be held in Pakistan.
Key Factors Behind the Hosting Debacle
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| India’s refusal to play in Pakistan | Moved all Indian matches to Dubai |
| Pakistan’s poor tournament performance | Eliminated early, lost significance as a host |
| Poor stadium conditions | Criticized for lack of maintenance and rainwater issues |
| Empty stands | Poor ticket sales and lack of crowd participation |
Pakistan’s Disastrous Performance in the Champions Trophy
Adding to the misery, Pakistan’s cricket team performed poorly, finishing at the bottom of their group. They failed to win crucial matches, and their net run rate was the worst in the tournament.
Group Stage Standings
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | No Result | Net Run Rate |
| India | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1.25 |
| Australia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +0.85 |
| South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +0.30 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1.50 |
Pakistan lost to both Australia and South Africa, while their match against Bangladesh was washed out. This disastrous performance ensured their elimination from the tournament at an early stage.
Financial Mismanagement and Stadium Issues
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spent millions of dollars to upgrade stadiums and infrastructure for the event. However, the investments failed to yield results.
Stadium Renovation Costs vs. Outcomes
| Stadium | Renovation Cost (in million $) | Issues Reported |
| National Stadium, Karachi | 5 | Flooded stands, leaky roofs |
| Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 3 | Poor drainage, unplayable pitch |
| Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | 2 | Insufficient seating, poor crowd management |
Despite spending approximately $10 million, the stadiums were not up to international standards. Several matches were affected due to unplayable conditions, including high-profile fixtures.
Poor Attendance: A Telling Sign
One of the biggest concerns of the tournament was the empty stands. Even during crucial matches like the semi-finals, stadiums had a visibly poor turnout. The following graph highlights the average attendance percentage across venues:
From the graph, it is evident that Pakistan failed to attract audiences, further diminishing the tournament’s significance.
What This Means for Pakistan’s Cricket Future
The failure of the Champions Trophy hosting has raised serious questions about Pakistan’s ability to organize major tournaments in the future. The next three years will also see the Pakistan team refusing to travel to India for any ICC events as per the reciprocal agreement. However, if Pakistan continues to underperform, their absence may not impact the competition significantly.
Lessons for the Future
- Improved Infrastructure – Pakistan needs to ensure world-class stadium conditions to attract major tournaments.
- Better Team Performance – A competitive team would have generated more local interest and support.
- Stronger Diplomacy – Pakistan must negotiate better terms to ensure they are not sidelined in global cricket events.
Conclusion
Pakistan had a golden opportunity to bring international cricket back home, but poor planning, weak infrastructure, and political disputes turned it into a disaster. As the Champions Trophy final takes place in Dubai, it marks not just the end of a tournament but a missed opportunity for Pakistan to shine on the global stage. The country must now work harder to rebuild its cricketing reputation and ensure better preparation for future events.
