Viral Video: 41 Days From Champions Trophy, State Of Pakistan Stadiums Amid Row

Amidst fears that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 may not be properly hosted by host nation Pakistan due to the existing state of underdeveloped stadiums, Pakistan-based journalist Farid Khan has shared a video showing the work in progress at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Earlier, a report had emerged stating that stadiums in all three cities – Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi – are still under construction, with just over a month till the Champions Trophy gets underway. However, the visual shared by the journalist shows the extent in which work is being done at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The visuals paint a picture that the stadiums are indeed being constructed, almost from scratch. Bricks, ladders, cement and construction tools and vehicles can all be spotted in the video.

As per the social media post by the journalist, more than 250 workers are on-site in order to complete the stadium construction before the given deadline of January 25.

Watch: Construction is underway at Pakistan’s Gaddafi Stadium

Following a report by The Times of Indiawhere a source stated the underprepared nature of the Pakistani stadiums, it was said that a “miracle” would be needed from both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to pull off the construction work in time.

The Gaddafi stadium was stated to be in particularly bad state.

“The weather is not ideal for construction and finishing work to happen at a rapid pace. At Gadaffi, even the plaster work is not completed yet. And most of the time is taken by finishing work because we are talking about dressing rooms etc. They just can’t be random rooms/enclosures for an ICC event. ICC has a checklist which needs to be met. National Stadium (in Karachi) has decided to not completely finish the new enclosure because there is no time. said.

Meanwhile, in light of the situation, the PCB responded by shifting the venues of Pakistan’s upcoming tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand.

While the majority of the tournament will be played in Pakistan, all of Team India’s matches, as well as the semi-final and the final, will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, if India do not qualify for the final, the Gaddafi Stadium will host the summit clash.