The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed its gratitude to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for successfully hosting the ICC Men’s CT-2025. This event marked a significant milestone as it was Pakistan’s first global multi-team cricket tournament since 1996. The ICC also thanked the Emirates Cricket Board for their help in staging some of the matches.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for successfully hosting the ICC Men’s CT-2025. The tournament, held from February 19 to March 9, marked the return of an ICC event to Pakistan after nearly three decades.
The eight-team tournament featured 15 matches played across three cities in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. However, due to political tensions, India played all of its matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). India emerged as the tournament champions after defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final at the Dubai International Stadium.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice commended PCB’s efforts, stating, “We would like to thank and congratulate the Pakistan Cricket Board for successfully hosting the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. This was the first global multi-team event in Pakistan since 1996, making it a significant milestone.”
He further praised the efforts of those involved in renovating stadiums, preparing pitches, and ensuring smooth operations throughout the tournament. “Everyone involved in delivering the matches and hosting teams should be proud of their efforts,” he added.
Allardice also acknowledged the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for hosting five matches in Dubai and continuing its support for ICC events. The tournament’s success highlighted the passion of cricket fans worldwide, who watched and engaged through various platforms.
A Controversial Yet Thrilling Tournament
Despite the positive response, the event was not without controversy. The PCB voiced concerns about their sidelining in official proceedings. They complained that officials omitted Pakistan’s name from the Champions Trophy’s official logo during a live broadcast and that they failed to give PCB officials due recognition at a post-match ceremony. The PCB has formally protested these issues, demanding a public apology from the ICC.
Despite these concerns, the tournament successfully showcased Pakistan’s capability to host international cricket, setting a strong precedent for future global events in the country.
