ICC’s $65 million budget move hints India’s Champions Trophy 2025 matches will not be played in Pakistan

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a budget of $65 million for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The move also gives an indication that India’s matches in the marquee event, which is slated to take place in the months of February and March, will not be played in the host nation Pakistan.

According to the latest report by Cricbuzz, the budget was approved at the governing body’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Colombo. The reported amount also includes expenses for holding a few matches outside Pakistan. However, the ICC has not yet made an official announcement about the budget or venues other than Pakistan.

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Funds allocated to Pakistan to upgrade stadium facilities

The Chief Executive Committee (CEC) has confirmed that the ICC has signed an agreement with Pakistan to host the Champions Trophy and has budgeted for hosting some matches outside Pakistan. Pakistan has been allocated huge sums of money to upgrade the facilities at the three main venues - Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore. 

“PCB has signed Host Agreement and has worked with management to draft an event budget which is submitted F&CA for approval. Management has also approved an estimate of the increase in the cost of staging the event if it is necessary to play some matches outside Pakistan,” CEC’s approval note read.

“A planning meeting and inspection of proposed match venues took place in Pakistan in March 2024. A significant amount of renovation work is underway in all three venues to upgrade facilities,” it added.

It has been learned that approximately $35 million has been allocated for infrastructure development. A $20 million was set aside for participation and prize money and an additional $10 million for the production costs.

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Meanwhile, the ICC has also shared a draft schedule with stakeholders, including the participating teams. Pakistan and New Zealand are set to clash with each other in the curtain raiser on February 19. The much-awaited IND-PAK will be held on February 23. The tournament will conclude on March 9 and a reserve day is also in place for the final.