National Bank Stadium Karachi faces construction delays ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy are underway, with efforts focused on partial renovation and upgrades at the National Stadium Karachi. However, the construction work remains incomplete despite initial deadlines. The first phase of upgrades, initially set to be completed by December 15 and later extended to December 31, has yet to reach its conclusion. 

The renovation work commenced after the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi approved the proposed plan during a Governing Board meeting. While the five-story building's infrastructure is complete, finishing work on various floors is still pending. Additionally, the process of removing the fencing around the ground has started.

Renovation Details
- Ground Floor: Rooms for the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping Units, along with match officials, are being constructed.
- First Floor: Two dressing rooms are set to be built.
- Second and Third Floors: Hospitality boxes are planned.
- Fourth Floor: A media center is scheduled for construction.
- Additional Features: The replacement of the old scoreboard with new digital screens and the installation of modern LED lights are part of the first phase.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has indicated that construction work is expected to continue into January. Subsequent phases will address additional developments. The renovation project has a budget of PKR 3.5 billion.

According to the ICC schedule, the National Stadium Karachi will host three matches during the Champions Trophy. To ensure readiness, a tri-nation ODI series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa has been planned at the venue. The third match on February 12 and the final on February 14 will serve as a final assessment of the stadium’s preparations.

Ongoing construction has prompted several changes in scheduled matches:
- The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final, originally set to begin on January 2, has been moved to UBL Ground.
- The first Test match against the West Indies, scheduled for January 17-21, has been shifted to Multan.

The upgrades are aimed at ensuring the National Stadium meets international standards for the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19.