Rawalpindi Rain Controversy: Mohammad Kaif Questions ICC Fund Utilization Amid Champions Trophy Washout

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has strongly criticized the authorities at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for failing to cover the entire ground, leading to the washout of the crucial ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match between South Africa and Australia. Persistent rain resulted in the abandonment of the game without a single ball being bowled, raising concerns about the stadium’s preparedness despite recent renovations.

Kaif took to social media to express his disappointment, highlighting the negligence that might impact Australia and South Africa’s chances in the tournament. He shared an image of the uncovered areas of the stadium and questioned whether the ICC funds allocated for stadium upgrades were utilized effectively by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

@MohammadKaif X

"It's a shame that the Rawalpindi ground isn't fully covered. Such an important match - SA vs Aus - might go down the drain because no one addressed this issue. Was the ICC money utilized wisely by hosts?" Kaif wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

It's a shame that the Rawalpindi ground isn't fully covered. Such an important match - SA vs Aus - might go down the drain because no one addressed this issue. Was the ICC money utilised wisely by hosts? pic.twitter.com/nPwthd1fji

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 25, 2025

Pakistan’s Hosting Issues Under Scrutiny

Pakistan is hosting an ICC event for the first time in 29 years, having last co-hosted the 1996 Cricket World Cup. Ahead of the Champions Trophy, renovations were carried out at stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. However, the project faced multiple delays, and the poor handling of rain interruptions has sparked criticism from players, fans, and experts.

Pakistan Knocked Out of Champions Trophy 2025

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s campaign in the Champions Trophy has ended in disappointment. Consecutive losses against New Zealand and India sealed their exit from the tournament. Their fate was briefly in Bangladesh’s hands, but New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh confirmed Pakistan’s elimination.

Group B Standings and Semi-Final Scenarios

The washout between South Africa and Australia meant that both teams were awarded one point each, bringing their tally to three points from two matches. South Africa currently leads the table due to a superior net run rate.

England and Afghanistan, the other two teams in Group B, are set to face each other in Lahore, with both sides eager to keep their semi-final hopes alive. The final Group B fixtures will see Australia taking on Afghanistan and South Africa playing England, both of which will determine the last two semi-finalists.

India and New Zealand Secure Semi-Final Spots

In Group A, India and New Zealand have already confirmed their places in the semi-finals. The highly anticipated clash between the two sides on March 2 in Dubai will determine the group winner. Regardless of the result, India is scheduled to play their semi-final in Dubai on March 4, while New Zealand will play their knockout match in Lahore on March 5.

Rain Disruptions Raise Questions for ICC and PCB

The controversy surrounding Rawalpindi’s rain-affected match has put a spotlight on the PCB and ICC’s event management. With crucial matches ahead, teams will be hoping for better conditions to ensure fair competition.

Stay tuned for more updates on the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, match results, and the road to the finals!