The Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday, 16 January, restricted the entry and movement of journalists at the under-construction Karachi and Lahore stadiums.

The move comes after multiple vloggers went to the stadium premises and shot videos of the ongoing work. After the footage from the stadiums came out, the PCB was ridiculed on social media, with fans asking if the board will be able to complete the work before the Champions Trophy begins.

The PCB is running against time to complete the renovation work of the stadiums ahead of next month's Champions Trophy. PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi had undertaken the task about a year ago, there is still much to be done.

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Back in 2024, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had admitted that none of Pakistan's international cricket venues met international standards. He had said that it was PCB's responsibility to amp up the facilities in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy.

"There is a huge difference in international stadiums and those of ours. None of our stadiums are of international standard," Mohsin Naqvi said, justifying PCB's initiative to renovate the stadiums.

The media will now only be allowed to visit stadiums on a fixed day during the week when they can tour the venue and make videos in the presence of PCB media representatives.

"It has become irritating for us the way some people are constantly going to the stadiums without permission and filming or talking about minor issues of construction work and presenting their views on preparations for the mega event," an insider in the board told new agency PTI.

He said the decision to restrict the entry and movement of media at the stadiums was taken because "these conflicting reports are being picked up by the international media" and giving an impression that the country is not ready to host the Champions Trophy.

The National Stadium in Karachi is scheduled to play host to the opening match of the tournament between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19.