ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to open the Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi on Wednesday, marking the return of a major international cricket tournament to the country after nearly three decades, with analysts saying will not only revive Pakistan’s cricketing glory but also contribute to the country’s investment, tourism landscape and international image.
The elite one-day international tournament, which features the game’s top eight sides in the format, begins with the hosts facing off New Zealand in the southern port city of Karachi. This is the first major global tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly 30 years and analysts and former cricketers say there is no escaping the excitement in the event.
Cricket teams abandoned Pakistan after an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team outside Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium on Mar. 3, 2009, forcing the cricket-mad South Asian nation into wilderness for several years. It took the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) several years to convince its counterparts that it was safe to travel to the South Asian country.
While Zimbabwe was the first international team to visit Pakistan in May 2015, former PCB chairman Najam Sethi says the success of Pakistan Super League (PSL) since its launch in 2016 boosted the confidence of foreign players in Pakistan, hailing the 50-over Champions Trophy as the culmination of Pakistan’s efforts to reintegrate into the global cricketing fraternity and promote new talent.
“The successful launch of PSL nearly 10 years ago was a game-changer. It enabled international cricket to return to Pakistan, and the Champions Trophy tournament is the icing on the cake,” he told Arab News.
Workers install billboards on a structure of an entry point to Gaddafi Stadium, in preparation for upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP)
“It will unleash the passion of tens of millions of Pakistanis and motivate a new generation of cricket fans to excel in the game by watching the best players in the world play their craft. I predict a wave of new talent will erupt in Pakistan in the wake of the [tournament]!“
Mirza Iqbal Baig, a senior sports journalist, recalled how the attack on the Sri Lankan team had disappointed cricket fans in the country, but described the Champions Trophy as a “milestone” for Pakistan cricket.
“Now all international teams, especially England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, who have a lot of security concerns, but they all have come and I think this will boost Pakistan cricket,” he told Arab News.
“Pakistani cricket fans will see international cricket stars playing before them in their home grounds, and there will be competition too. I think the hosting of Champions Trophy will prove to be a milestone for Pakistan cricket.”
Asked about its socio-economic impact on Pakistan, Baig said it will definitely send out a positive image of the country with regard to investment and tourism.
Sethi echoed the sentiment: “The matches will be seen by over a billion people. There can be no better projection of Pakistan’s soft power and budding prestige.”
The Champions Trophy 2025, being staged after a hiatus of eight years, is the first major ICC tournament in Pakistan since the South Asian country co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with Sri Lanka and India.
While all teams agreed to play in Pakistan, India refused to travel to the host country and will play its matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“It is sad that sum-zero diplomacy remains a hurdle in cricketing ties between India and Pakistan,” Sethi remarked. “But I firmly believe that this hybrid model is a precursor to full blown bilateral cricketing relations sooner than later.”
Baig said Pakistan had “opened its arms” for everyone, but the Narendra Modi-led government had been using cricket as “political tool.”
“But anyway, the tournament is being played. People were saying that India would ask other teams to not visit Pakistan, but the rest of the teams have arrived,” he said.
“India will regret later why they did not play in Pakistan.”
