PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the redevelopment of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is in its “final stages” and will be ready in time for its official inauguration on February 7. Speaking at a press conference at the stadium, Naqvi praised the rapid progress of the construction, highlighting that the work had been completed in record time.
“The Gaddafi Stadium will be inaugurated on February 7 by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” Naqvi stated. “It’s in its final stages, and the last touches are being applied. We started demolishing the stadium in September, with construction beginning in October. We promised it would be ready by the end of January, and as you can see, it’s very close to completion.”
Naqvi also assured that the National Stadium in Karachi, which is undergoing renovations ahead of the Champions Trophy, was on schedule. It is set to be inaugurated by Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on February 11, just ahead of its first match, a tri-series game on February 12.
In addition, Pakistan will host an opening ceremony in Lahore on February 16. However, the event will not feature the traditional captains’ call and photoshoot, which Naqvi attributed to logistical challenges. Invitations have been extended to ICC Chairman Jay Shah and the heads of all cricket boards involved in the tournament.
The PCB has faced scrutiny over the readiness of its stadiums, with concerns raised about whether renovations would be completed in time for the tournament. Originally, the PCB had set a January 25 deadline for the completion of the Gaddafi Stadium renovations but extended it to February 2. Naqvi addressed critics, particularly from India, who had questioned the progress.
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“Across the border, there are many trying to find flaws in our arrangements, but they will find none,” Naqvi remarked. “We are working day and night to ensure a smooth tournament, and we are ready to welcome all the teams and their security.”
Naqvi also revealed that the PCB had sold its ticket allocation back to the ICC in an effort to offset the costs of the stadium renovations. The Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19, will be the first ICC tournament hosted by Pakistan since 1996.
