Pakistan welcomes international media for Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy is set to commence on Wednesday, with defending champions Pakistan facing New Zealand in their Group A opener at the National Stadium in Karachi.

This event is also a significant occasion for the global media industry, as various sports journalists from around the world will cover the tournament, which will take place across four venues: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

A highly reliable source told Nukta that 30 journalists from Bangladesh, eight from England, seven from India, two from Sri Lanka, and one from Australia have received ICC media accreditation to cover the event.

The source further stated that all seven Indian journalists have been granted visas for Pakistan, enabling them to cover matches in the country in addition to those in the UAE, where India will be playing all of its games under the hybrid model.

For many of these journalists, this will be their first time covering an ICC event in Pakistan, making their visit even more noteworthy.

This tournament marks the first ICC event that Pakistan is hosting in 29 years, with the last being the 1996 World Cup, which was co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.

The presence of international journalists is crucial for any nation hosting a global sporting event. Their coverage will contribute to presenting a positive image of Pakistan, a country that was previously considered off-limits for foreign sports teams.

These journalists will provide extensive coverage through newspapers, websites, and television channels, showcasing Pakistan’s culture, cuisine, business landscape, and its preparations for hosting such a major event.

There has been a significant transformation of the Gaddafi Stadium, completing the renovation in a record 117 days. Upgrades were also made to the National Stadium in Karachi and Rawalpindi to enhance their facilities.

Many in the cricketing world were skeptical that these changes would materialize, but the redevelopment of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium stands out as a remarkable achievement for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Visiting journalists will witness these improvements firsthand, reinforcing Pakistan’s capability to host major cricketing events.

Preparations are now complete. The Australian and English teams have already arrived in Lahore and are set to face off in their Group B opener at the historic Gaddafi Stadium on February 22.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh is in the UAE preparing for their opening Group A match against former champions India, also scheduled for February 22.

South Africa has arrived in Karachi, where they are gearing up for their first match against Afghanistan on February 21.

In Lahore, excitement for the tournament has reached new heights. Stringent security measures have been implemented along the players’ routes, accommodations, and stadium premises. A total of 12,000 security personnel will be deployed across Lahore and Rawalpindi, with 8,000 assigned specifically to Lahore.

The world’s top eight cricket teams have been divided into two groups. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes England, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. If India reaches the final, the championship match will take place in Dubai; otherwise, Lahore will host the decider.