Young Pakistan opener Saim Ayub could be out of cricket up to six weeks and maybe ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 beginning on February 19.

There have been several media reports stating that the Champions Trophy 2025 might be shifted out of Pakistan due to delay in renovation work at the stadiums in the country.

Pakistan will host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with foreign teams arriving as early as the first week of February, according to media reports. New Zealand and South Africa are set to land in Pakistan in early February for both the tournament and a tri-series, Express News reported.

Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to start from February 19 and the first match of the marquee event will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Critical upgrades, including multi-story enclosures for dressing rooms and hospitality boxes, floodlight installations, seat arrangements, and fencing, are still incomplete

Pakistan was originally scheduled to host the entire tournament in three cities – Lahore, Karachi and Rawapindi. However, the country might end up missing out entirely on hosting its first global event since the 1996 World Cup.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is 40 days away, but stadiums in Pakistan are far from ready. Construction is still ongoing at venues in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The ICC is concerned about the venues meeting requirements on time.

Pakistan last hosted a global tournament at home in 1996, when it co-hosted the ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka

India are expected to play a practice match in Dubai ahead of their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, which will take place at the same venue, according to a report from India Today. The ICC is currently working on finalizing practice facilities across the four venues in Pakistan and organizing the warm-up schedule for the eight teams participating in the prestigious tournament.

Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi are the three venues that have been chosen to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from February 19. January 25, 2025 is the deadline for the completion of works.