Champions Trophy / PCB chief forced to sell VIP box tickets for money, such bad days have come

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi will be present with cricket fans in Dubai on February 23 for the high-voltage India-Pakistan match. He has decided to watch the match from the stands by selling tickets of the 30-seater VIP hospitality box, which will help PCB in funds.

Champions Trophy: The India-Pakistan match on February 23rd, 2025, during the ICC Champions Trophy, will be a significant occasion not only for cricket fans but also for prominent personalities from both countries. All eyes will be on the Dubai stadium, where Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi will also be present for this high-stakes match. However, a surprising decision has emerged. Mohsin Naqvi was offered a 30-seat VIP hospitality box for the match, but he declined it and chose to watch the match from the stands among the fans.

Earnings from Selling VIP Box Tickets

An important detail related to Mohsin Naqvi’s decision is that he rejected the VIP box offer and instead sold the tickets to the PCB. According to reports, the price of this 30-seat VIP box at the Dubai stadium is around 4 lakh US dollars (3.47 crores INR). Naqvi's decision raises several questions. Does this decision indicate something about the financial status of the PCB? Is the Pakistan Cricket Board in such a financial crunch that the board chairman had to sell his VIP seat?

PCB Chairman’s Social Message

With this move, Mohsin Naqvi has also sent a social message. He stated that he wants to experience the India-Pakistan match by sitting in the stands and seeing firsthand how Pakistani fans cheer for their team. Additionally, Naqvi revealed that the funds from the PCB will be used for the renovation of major stadiums in Pakistan, such as Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The money collected from gate receipts and other stadium revenue during the Champions Trophy will be used for these renovations.

Start of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19th with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand. There is a festive atmosphere in Pakistan right now as preparations for the Champions Trophy are underway. During the tournament's opening ceremony, members of the Pakistani team that won the 2017 Champions Trophy were honored. Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, and Mohammad Amir were among the team members who attended the event.

The Sixth Encounter Between India and Pakistan

In the history of the Champions Trophy, India and Pakistan have faced each other a total of five times, with Pakistan winning three matches and India winning two. In 2017, India defeated Pakistan in the group stage, but in the final, Pakistan triumphed over India to win the Champions Trophy. Now, the two teams are set to clash for the sixth time, and this encounter will take place at the Dubai stadium.