In the face of significant criticism directed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding Rachin Ravindra's injury during the opening match of the ODI tri-series against Pakistan in Lahore, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt defended the board, attributing the incident to the player's error. However, the focus of blame quickly returned to the PCB as veteran batsman Ahmed Shehzad criticized the inadequate infrastructure at the three venues set to host the Champions Trophy, commencing next week.

The incident occurred last week at the Gaddafi Stadium during Pakistan's innings when Khusdil Shah executed a slog sweep off a delivery from Michael Bracewell towards deep square leg. Ravindra positioned himself to catch the ball but lost sight of it in the lights, resulting in a direct hit to his forehead. The New Zealand player sustained significant bleeding, prompting immediate medical attention on the field. After a brief delay, he was escorted off with his face covered by a towel.

In the aftermath, the PCB faced backlash for the subpar lighting conditions at the venue, which is scheduled to host Champions Trophy matches. Shehzad joined the chorus of criticism, questioning the allocation of funds for the renovation of the Champions Trophy venues.

"How Rachin was struck in the face raises serious concerns. Player safety must be prioritized. Is this how a budget of 13 billion PKR is utilized? Constructing a new stadium costs around 2 billion. Three stadiums are still not ready. Externally, everything appears polished and impressive. The venues that are complete were constructed in record time. However, issues such as the floodlight problems persist, and the Karachi Stadium remains unfinished. There are also infrastructural challenges at the Rawalpindi Stadium, which reportedly will take an additional 6-8 months to address. While the Gaddafi Stadium looks appealing, the lighting situation is questionable," he stated.

Are the Champions Trophy venues in Pakistan ready?

PCB was allocated 17 billion rupees to renovate three stadiums for the ICC tournament. Despite the criticism, The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore did host two ODI matches ahead of the Champions Trophy, both from the ongoing tri-series involving Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand.

On Tuesday, PCB will unveil the renovated National Stadium in Karachi, thus brushing aside concerns over its readiness. The board further announced free entry for the public for a musical ceremony, followed by a felicitation event for the construction workers. The venue will be hosting the final game of the tri-series between Pakistan and South Africa.

Read Also: ‘Nothing Will Drive Him More…’: Gavaskar’s Bold Champions Trophy Prediction for Virat Kohli

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