PM, President to inaugurate upgraded Lahore and Karachi stadiums

LAHORE: Pakistan’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium has completed its ambitious transformation into a state-of-the-art cricket facility, marking a significant milestone in the country’s preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Friday that the renovated stadium will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on February 7, while President Asif Ali Zardari will inaugurate Karachi’s National Stadium on February 11.

The historic venue has undergone extensive upgrades over the past four months, featuring new comfortable seating, modernized dressing rooms, enhanced hospitality boxes, and improved spectator facilities.

“This is Pakistan’s first technologically advanced stadium meeting international standards,” Naqvi stated during a meet the press after a comprehensive inspection of the facility. In a gesture of appreciation, Naqvi personally invited the construction workers to attend the upcoming tri-nation series match on February 8, promising to join them in the stands.

The renovation project, executed by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), has been completed despite tight deadlines and skepticism from various quarters. Addressing quality concerns, Naqvi emphasised that no compromises were made during the fast-paced renovation.

“The new chairs come with a 20-year warranty, meet international standards, and are five times more cost-effective,” he explained. The stadium will be handed over to the ICC on February 11, following the tri-nation series involving Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Meanwhile, the PCB has categorically denied rumors about removing former cricket captain Imran Khan’s name from a section of the stadium. “There have been no changes to the names of enclosures. All enclosures remain as they were,” a PCB spokesperson confirmed.