Introduction
Recent allegations have surfaced concerning serious mismanagement issues by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy 2025. A local journalist’s revelations have sparked widespread concern over the handling of the event.
Startling Sacrifices for Stadium Maintenance
Shahid Hashmi, a reputable journalist, highlighted the financial missteps by PCB that overshadowed the Champions Trophy. Most notably, Hashmi reported a distressing incident involving a pitch curator at the Rawalpindi stadium. Due to PCB’s alleged negligence, the curator was forced to sell his personal motorbike to buy fertilisers essential for maintaining the pitch quality.
Additional Examples of Neglect
- In Karachi, urgent needs for basic pitch maintenance materials led to ad-hoc fund collections among local supporters, according to Hashmi. This once again underscores the PCB’s apparent disarray in managing allocated budgets effectively.
- Hashmi also stressed the lack of proactive measures for preparing pitches for domestic matches and poor scheduling practices, exposing the broader issues of mismanagement within the board.
PCB’s Financial Statements Under Scrutiny
Despite the troubling accusations, PCB reported a substantial financial gain from the event, claiming to have earned three billion rupees, surpassing their target by one billion rupees. They also stated that no budget overruns had occurred and maintained that the ICC had managed the Champions Trophy without lapses. Additionally, PCB confirmed that two audits are scheduled annually, with the next set for June 30, 2025, potentially to mitigate these concerns publicly.
Conclusion
The contrast between PCB’s official statements and the issues reported by Hashmi reveals a significant gap in narrative and actual practice, raising further questions about the integrity of sports management in Pakistan. The community awaits clear resolutions and accountability from PCB in light of these serious allegations.
Read the original source here.
Related: RCB Champions Eco-Friendly Initiatives with Green Jerseys in Upcoming Match Against
Last Updated: April 12, 2025
