Champions Trophy: Pakistan Will Host The ICC Assessment

A five-member delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will arrive in Karachi on Tuesday night to evaluate Pakistan's readiness for the Champions Trophy in 2020. On September 21, the four-day visit will end with an inspection of the arrangements in Lahore.

The ICC team will examine the hotels, practice grounds, and stadium during their visit to Pakistan. To ensure the arrangements meet expectations, they will confer with the hotel management, where the teams and officials will be billeted.

Then, on September 20, the ICC representatives will travel to Islamabad. They will spend the weekend in Lahore before the delegation leaves for Dubai on September 21. The senior events manager, events manager, security manager, general manager of cricket, and production manager from ICC will be in the delegation.

Since April, ICC Pitch Consultant Andy Atkinson, Head of Events Chris Tetley, and ICC Security Manager David Mucker have made three visits to Pakistan. Nonetheless, the most recent delegation will have some personnel changes due to recent ICC departures, including the resignations of a few senior functionaries.

Although the ICC visit is planned, the local media has reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is behind schedule with renovations at the three designated venues: On the other hand, the PCB is optimistic that the work will be finished on schedule.

These improvements are required and a vital first step towards bringing our venues up to date with contemporary gaming standards.

"To offer top-notch amenities and improved experiences for spectators, athletes, officials, and broadcasters alike, the two stadiums needed major renovations. A PCB representative told this website, "The PCB is steadfastly committed to promoting our venues as top-notch travel destinations, upholding the highest international standards, and strengthening our position on the international sporting stage."

According to the Betpro website, the Champions Trophy will take place from February 19 to March 9.

In addition, the PCB has submitted a draft Champions Trophy schedule pending ICC approval. The uncertainty surrounding India's participation is a significant cause of the delay. If India withdraws, the ICC and PCB might have to use a hybrid format akin to the Asia Cup from the previous year, in which Indian matches are held outside of Pakistan. With the approval of the ICC, a backup plan to host some matches outside of Pakistan is included.

Damodar was chosen as CEC

Sumod Damodar, an ICC veteran, was chosen to join the Chief Executives Committee (CEC). The winner of a three-way race in which he received 20 votes from the 45 associate boards was Damodar, who served as a member of the CEC from 2017 to 23. Richard Done of Papua New Guinea, who garnered 19 votes, finished in a close second. Germany's Vignaesh Sankaran finished a distant third.

Mubashir Usmani, who was elected to the ICC Board in July, is replaced by Damodar. The Botswana cricket head will serve a one-year term instead of the current two-year term, which expires in July of next year. The election got underway on September 12.