The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to get clarification for the hosting country Pakistan's name missing during the Group A match India vs Bangladesh during the second game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started on Wednesday (February 19) with the Group A match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. While New Zealand won that match by 60 runs, the whole match was broadcast with the name of Pakistan under the Champions Trophy 2025 logo in the left corner of the broadcast. 

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ben Duckett thrashes tournament record; England record first-ever 350+ CT total

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India vs Bangladesh broadcast experienced "Pakistan" missing from logo

On the next day, the other Group A team India and Bangladesh started their tournament journey, which was played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The entire match carried the Champions Trophy 2025 logo without the name of Pakistan as well as UAE. However, the next two fixtures, which were played at the National Stadium in Karachi (Afghanistan vs South Africa) and at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore (Australia vs England), carried the hosting country's name along with the tournament logo.

The ICC has reportedly told the PCB that it was an early technical error, but the PCB hasn't been reportedly satisfied. The PCB has reportedly asked for assurance of no further similar mistakes, the ICC has reportedly clarified that the issue won't happen in future matches. The Group A match India vs Pakistan has been scheduled for Sunday (February 23) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: UAE added to the schedule only for Indian matches

The hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were a big issue as Pakistan has the complete rights to the tournament. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to travel to Pakistan, and after a long wait, Pakistan ultimately confirmed that Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would host all Indian matches of the tournament. 

Babar Azam became the joint-quickest to reach 6,000 runs in ODI cricket. The Pakistan sensation reached the milestone while playing an ODI tri-series final between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday, February 14. Babar reached the milestone quicker than India's batting  sensation Virat Kohli. 

A Milestone to Remember:
Babar reached the 6,000-run milestone in his 123rd innings and 126th match. Previous South Africa opener Hashim Amla also had the record after  reaching the milestone in an equal number of innings. Virat Kohli reached the milestone in 2014, reaching 6000 runs in his 136th innings during an ODI against Sri  Lanka  in Hyderabad.

ALSO SEE :  Watch: Rohit Sharma Attends Wedding in Bangalore

FASTEST TO 6,000 ODI RUNS BY INNINGS :

This feat contributes to the burgeoning history of Babar Azam as among the greatest players in today's game of cricket. His leadership coupled with his batting  skill has positioned him among the most revered cricketers of today.

Babar was the fastest to 5,000 ODI runs when he got to the milestone in just 97 matches in May 2023. However, since the ODI World Cup, big runs on a consistent basis have eluded Babar. In his last seven innings in ODIs, Babar has managed just two fifty-plus scores.

ICC has  fined on the three players for an ICC Code of Conduct during their tri-nation series match against South Africa in Karachi on Wednesday.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam have been penalised in their match against South Africa in Tri-Nation Series .

🚨 THREE PAKISTAN PLAYERS FINED 🚨

- Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam has been fined for their behaviour in the match against South Africa. pic.twitter.com/28QVzbGyou

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 13, 2025

Reason for their penalty :

Shaheen Shah Afridi reason :

Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined 25 per cent of his match fee on Article 2.12 of the Code, which pertains to "inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person during an International Match."The incident occurred in the 28th over of South Africa’s innings when Shaheen obstructed batter Matthew Breetzke as he ran a single, resulting in physical contact and a heated exchange words between the two players.

ALSO SEE :  Rajat Patidar's reaction after becoming captain.

Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam reason for Penalty :

Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam were fined 10 percent of their match fees for celebrating too closely to batter Temba Bavuma following his run-out in the 29th over. Both players fined on Article 2.5 of the Code, which relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match."

In addition to the financial penalties, all three players have received one demerit point each on their disciplinary records. None of the players had any  offences in the last 24 months.

The ICC said that,"All three players received one demerit point each on their disciplinary records, and accepted the sanctions".

Pakistan recorded its highest ever successful one-day international run chase of 355-4 and will play New Zealand on Friday in the final, it will be a warmup for the Champions Trophy.

The grand opening of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Karachi, Pakistan had its performance spoiled all over the National Bank Stadium as thousands of fans from across the country and international meets spilled into the venue. The body was at a fever pitch of excitement, mayhem, and anticipation as people from around rushed to watch the tournament finally. There was Security at multiple checkpoints but a massive amount of spectators just made it hard to control anything.

Overwhelmed of the VIP Entrance
Pretty impressive thing the state of the VIP entrance to be, to see it all out was one of my most terrifying things from tonight. The lanes for the VIP guests were soon drowned out by the general crowd, instead of being serious and classy like we regularly expect from honored guests, celebrities & cricketing legends.

Although there were greater measures taken in terms of security, this merely made it harder to keep the massive amount of people separate. Cricket greats joining the parade of high-profile personalities and local politicians as well as some international delegations wishing all a very happy new year under the goodwill 

The cricket craze in Pakistan is unmatched! 🔥

Karachi 🏟️ grand opening ceremony 🙏 VIP entry 😭 pic.twitter.com/2O8avsXUCD

— 𝙕𝙄𝙈𝘽𝙐 😎 (@Zimbu12_) February 11, 2025

ALSO READ:ICC names Brand Ambassadors for 2025 Champions Trophy

The fans were barely able to hold on as the pitch seemed shrouded in immense excitement, and even a designated red carpet section ended flooded with people attempting to get a look at their idol. Security Implications and Outcomes to Look For in the Future
The very successful grand opening ceremony aside, the massive breach in VIP sections for overrunning crowd control mainly stood as a reminder of how much more security would need to be applied for the remainder of the tournament. The PCB and local authorities told the public that they would beef up security, and have better managed entry to prevent this in other matches. 

Pakistan defeated South Africa by six wickets to qualify for the final of the ongoing tri-nation tournament. Chasing 353 runs, they broke several records, including the highest successful run chase in Pakistan’s ODI history. Mohammad Rizwan (122*) and Salman Agha (134) scored a century each and a partnership of 260 runs for the fourth wicket is also the highest for Pakistan in ODI cricket.

Pakistan chase in ODI Cricket History :

Pakistan's successful run-chase in ODI cricket:

The iconic Gaddafi Stadium of Lahore is one of Pakistan's most famous cricket grounds. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to rename the stadium after the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. The board is taking this step as part of its efforts to modernize the venue and shift its identity toward reflecting Pakistan's national heritage.

Past and Present history of stadium :

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It was initially known as Lahore Stadium and was renamed in 1974 after Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who supported Pakistan's nuclear program back then. Renaming was a diplomatic gesture of the time between the countrie. This time, however, as it changes with the inclinations of Pakistan, and cricket turning out more and more international, the PCB has decided that now is the time to give this name to the stadium that better suits Pakistan's present-day values and identity.

🚨 Gaddafi Stadium Lahore to be Renamed After Champions Trophy 2025!

The Bank of Punjab has secured the naming rights for Gaddafi Stadium. Following the conclusion of CT 2025, the stadium will be officially renamed Bank of Punjab Gaddafi Stadium. pic.twitter.com/FEQQUisLkr

— A Sports HD (@crickwick2k21) February 10, 2025

Change in the name of pavilion in the stadium :

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Although the official renaming of the stadium will occur only after the Champions Trophy, the PCB has started  renaming pavilions within the stadium. The main pavilion has been named the Jinnah End, after the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, while the far-end pavilion has been renamed the Iqbal End, in remembrance of the poet and philosopher, Allama Iqbal.

Other than the name change, the PCB has also agreed to a deal with a private bank that will have the naming rights of the stadium for five years. It is expected to contribute much-needed funds to the renovation and modernization of the stadium in order to start hosting international events at the highest standards.

This shift in focus points towards the long-term strategy of the PCB to develop cricket venues in Pakistan to have maximum revenue generation potential. This trend is fast becoming a new dimension of corporate partnership in sports infrastructure to ensure the development of world-class facilities.

The most exciting New Zealand vs South Africa is the 2nd match of the tri-series tour of Pakistan in 2025. The match has a separate fan base and it is most trilling with the good squads

Match Details

• Teams: New Zealand vs South Africa
• Tournament: NZ & SA tour of Pakistan 2025
• Date: February 10, 2025
• Time: 10:00 AM IST
• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

TOSS: New Zealand own the opt to bowl

Live Streaming and Telecast :

In India: The match will be live telecast on Sony Sports Network. Online streaming will be available on the SonyLIV app or website.

Online:Fan code

In Pakistan: Viewers can watch the live telecast on PTV Sports.

In New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ will broadcast the match live.

In Bangladesh:TV Channel Gazi TV (GTV), T Sports and Online Streaming: Rabbithole app, T Sports app

In the United States: Willow TV will provide live coverage.

ALSO READ:NZ vs SA 2nd Match, Match Prediction- Who Will Win Today?

Highlights to Batch:

Both the teams played remarkable batting; explosive power hitting, smart stroke play kept the fans on tenterhooks throughout.

Brilliant bowling spells mounted pressure leading to crucial breakthroughs.

A thrilling finish at the end gave this match an experience that most games in the series could hardly surpass.

Magnificent fielding; brilliant catches, quick runouts showed that how agile both teams were in fielding.

As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 comes closer, starting on 19th February in a hybrid model between Pakistan and the UAE, the excitement is growing day by day, especially with the tournament returning after 8 years.

To add more excitement for the Champions Trophy 2025, ICC has released the official anthem song, sung by famous superstar singer Atif Aslam.

Watch the video here:

The wait is over! 🎉

Sing along to the official song of the #ChampionsTrophy, Jeeto Baazi Khel Ke, featuring the master of melody @itsaadee 🎶🏆 pic.twitter.com/KzwwylN8ki

— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2025

In this, Pakistan, as the hosting side, is showcasing its street markets and unique culture to the world. Hosting a global event is a moment of celebration for them, and they bring excitement through this anthem video.

The last edition of this tournament was played in 2017 in the UK, where Pakistan emerged as the champion. In this edition, the defending champions and hosting side are all set to perform well in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

For the Champions Trophy 2025, the hybrid model is chosen specifically for India, with all their matches played in the UAE due to political tensions between India and Pakistan.

If India qualifies, they will play in Semi-final 1, while Pakistan will play in Semi-final 2 if they qualify. The final’s location will depend on the teams, and if India reaches the final, it will be held in the UAE. To prepare for different match possibilities, two venues—one in Pakistan and one in the UAE—are being set up at the same time.

The tournament begins with eight teams divided into two groups, each playing three group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.

The ICC Champions Trophy will start in two weeks, on 19th February, with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. And the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played on 9th March.

Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali has agreed to return to his former country club Warwickshire and will be available to play all formats for the club throughout the 2025 season. His availability will begin from the T20 Blast which will take place in May and will extend all the way through to the end of September.

The 30-year-old has been absent from the grand scheme of things ever since he sustained an elbow injury at Edgbaston last year. After only five Vitality Blast appearances where he claimed 10 wickets, Hasan's campaign last year came to a premature end as a result of that injury. The speedster underwent surgery and has now been in rehab closely monitored by both Warwickshire and Pakistan's medical staff.   

See also: Noman Ali scripts history in Multan, becomes the first Pakistani spinner to claim a Test hattrick

Hasan feels great to join forces with Warwickshire again

Hasan was thrilled to be back again for Warwickshire. Calling it his second home, his club is now starting to feel like his first home.  

"I said last year that Edgbaston felt like a second home to me…but it's becoming more like a first home now. I love playing for Warwickshire, playing for the Bears fans. And I hope they see by the way I play how much I want to win for this club."

He further added that being awarded the prestigious White Bear Cap in the 2023 season was one of the proudest moments in his cricketing career. That was by far, the most significant milestone he ever stumbled upon in his short yet impactful Country career.

"Being awarded my White Bear Cap in 2023 was among the proudest moments in my career and I want to make lots more special memories with the Bears next season." 

Warwickshire's head coach plays a key role in roping in Hasan Ali

Overall in nine County Championship appearances for Warwickshire across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Hasan has taken 27 scalps, 19 of them have been in the T20 Blast alone. His availability was limited last summer due to an unexpected late call-up to Pakistan's squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, Mark Robinson, the head coach of Warwickshire, stated that they had been in communication with the PCB regarding the acquisition of the player, who is no longer under a central contract, for a continuous period.

The 38-year-old Noman Ali has scripted history at the Multan Cricket Stadium by becoming the first Pakistani spinner to claim a Test hat-trick. After opting to bat first, the tourists got off to the worst possible start with spin proving to be their nemesis yet again. But they were rocked to the core when Noman Ali came on to bowl the 12th over of the Windies innings. 

See also: PAK vs WI 2nd Test, Match Prediction- Who Will Win Today?

At the start of the over, West Indies' scoreline read 38-4. At that time, Greaves and Hodge were starting to resurrect the ship for the tourists but all their efforts went in vain when Noman was reintroduced. Greaves became his first hattrick wicket as he poked at a wide-turning delivery inducing an outside edge that was pouched safely in the gully.

Imlach was the next victim to follow as he failed to read a quicker ball from Noman and was trapped lbw first ball. Then in the third and final ball, Noman got Sinclair out with a floppy tossed-up delivery on the off-stump line which he poked at with hard hands giving a simple catching practice to Babar at gully.

Watch the video:

HISTORY BY NOMAN ALI 📢

- Noman Ali becomes the first Pakistan spinner to take a Hat-trick in Test history. 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/Ps3SbVuAbB

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 25, 2025

Overall, Noman is now the fourth Pakistani bowler to claim a Test hattrick in the 21st century. Wasim Akram was the first Pakistani bowler to claim a Test hat-trick way back in 1999 against Sri Lanka. Abdul Razzaq, Mohammed Sami, and Naseem Shah are the other Pakistani bowlers to achieve a Test hattrick for Pakistan. At the time of writing, the West Indies batting was in an immediate state of decline and found themselves reeling at 55-8 by the end of the 17th over on day one.