The roar of the crowd, the clash of titans, the thrill of victory – these are the lifeblood of sport, and in Pakistan, a nation forged in resilience and fuelled by passion, a sporting renaissance is underway. The echoes of past glories are reverberating across newly renovated stadiums. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the recently concluded International Clubs Hockey Series are not mere tournaments; they are potent symbols of a nation reclaiming its turf.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, from 19 February to 9 March, marks a historic moment as the first ICC global event hosted in Pakistan since 1996. This milestone highlights the nation’s arduous journey to restore its place on the international cricket stage after the 2009 terrorist attack, which led to years of relocation for international cricket. The shadow of that tragedy has now finally lifted, a resounding declaration that Pakistan is back, stronger and more determined than ever.
Co-hosted with the United Arab Emirates, the battlegrounds for this cricketing spectacle – Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Dubai – have been meticulously prepared, and their stadiums transformed into state-of-the-art arenas. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, a veritable colosseum of cricket, stands as a shining example, its enhanced facilities and expanded seating capacity are a testament of the nation’s commitment to providing a world-class experience.
The eight competing nations, divided into two fiercely competitive groups, are poised to engage in a cricketing drama of epic proportions. Group A, featuring the perennial rivalry of Pakistan and India, alongside New Zealand and Bangladesh, promises a series of high-stakes encounters. Group B, comprising South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England, is equally brimming with talent and potential for exhilarating clashes.
The successful orchestration of this grand event is a feather in the cap of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under the astute leadership of Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. His vision and dedication have been the driving force behind the return of international cricket to Pakistan. Even the veiled threats and lobbying efforts by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to orchestrate a boycott failed to derail Pakistan’s ambitions, a clear indication of the international community’s growing confidence in the nation’s ability to ensure safety and deliver top-tier events.
While cricket commands a fervent following, Pakistan’s heart beats for hockey, its national sport. The concurrent International Clubs Hockey Series, featuring clubs from Germany and the Netherlands, is a powerful reminder of the nation’s rich hockey heritage. Germany’s Wiesbadener Tennis-und Hockey-Club (WTHC) and the Netherlands’ HGC club squads received a warm welcome upon their arrival in Pakistan. The opening clash between these two clubs, attended by the chief guest Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, drew large crowds at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on 12 February.
The transformation of Pakistan’s sporting landscape is owed to the synergistic partnership between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and Chairman PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan.
The Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy, known for its active role in promoting hockey, arranged matches in Lahore and Islamabad as part of the visit. The tournament featured matches in Lahore on February 12 and 14, and Islamabad on 16 February. The Dutch club HGC won the final against the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme/HEC Hockey Club.
The German Ambassador to Pakistan, Alfred Grannas, hosted a reception in honour of the WTHC and HGC teams in Islamabad on 17 February 2025. At the event attended by notable political figures and members of the sports fraternity, Ambassador Grannas expressed his deep appreciation for the visit, calling it an excellent initiative.
The Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan, Henny Fokel de Vries, also hosted a reception for the Dutch and German hockey clubs in Islamabad after the tournament concluded. Many diplomats, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, hockey players, sports lovers, and members of the media corps were in attendance.
The transformation of Pakistan’s sporting landscape is owed to the synergistic partnership between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and Chairman PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan. By strategically positioning sports as a powerful instrument for national unity, social cohesion, and international diplomacy, the government has elevated Pakistan’s sporting profile and bolstered its standing on the global stage.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the International Clubs Hockey Series are not isolated incidents but harbingers of a new era. These events represent a nation moving forward with purpose, surmounting challenges, and embracing the myriads of opportunities that lie ahead.
The writer is a political analyst and youth activist.
