The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), host of the 2025 Champions Trophy, faced criticism after New Zealand player Rachin Ravindra sustained injuries during a Tri-series match against Pakistan at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Rachin Ravindra was injured just over a week before the venue was set to host Champions Trophy matches. Ravindra was attempting to catch the ball when it struck his face, causing severe injuries that necessitated immediate medical attention.
According to a press release from New Zealand Cricket, Rachin Ravindra received stitches for lacerations on his forehead.
Concerns arose regarding the venue’s readiness, particularly the newly installed LED floodlights, which some believe may have compromised visibility.
Pakistan cricket star Ahmad Shehzad criticized the PCB, questioning the efficacy of spending 13 billion PKR on stadium preparations when “three stadiums aren’t even ready yet.” He noted, “From the outside, everything looks good and glittery. Those that are ready were built in record time. However, issues like floodlight problems and unfinished infrastructure in Karachi and Rawalpindi stadiums, which may take another 6-8 months to resolve, are concerning.”
Conversely, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt defended the floodlight installations, suggesting that the criticism was unwarranted. He argued that the lights functioned well when New Zealand players hit sixes off fast deliveries, implying that Ravindra’s injury resulted from a misjudgment rather than poor lighting conditions. “It’s irrelevant. These are some of the latest LED lights installed, which are fine. The player’s misjudgment at 70 meters, not the lights, caused the mishap,” Butt explained during a local news broadcast.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will commence on February 19 with an opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand. The host venues’ preparedness and safety measures are being scrutinized more closely.
