Lahore: In a significant development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The event, scheduled for Monday, August 5, will feature Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the chief guest. The ceremony will be hosted by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who assumed his role earlier this year without contest.
Sources indicate that the ceremony will highlight the commencement of a major upgrade to the stadium’s infrastructure, aimed at preparing it for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The refurbishment is part of a broader initiative that includes similar enhancements at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium. The PCB has allocated a substantial budget of Rs12.80 billion for these projects.
The construction at Gaddafi Stadium involves several key changes. The main building will be relocated closer to the field, with hospitality boxes added to the front and new PCB offices established at the back. Additionally, there will be an expansion of the enclosures flanking the main structure.
Demolition work at the stadium was completed in June, with Naqvi overseeing the timely removal of the old building’s debris. The PCB is keen on ensuring that the upgraded facilities meet international standards, especially with the upcoming Champions Trophy, which will see eight teams competing in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
The schedule proposed by the PCB suggests that all of India’s matches could be hosted in Lahore, a city known for its passionate cricket fans. While all other participating nations have previously played in Pakistan, the PCB is optimistic that India’s team will participate without issue, dismissing concerns about security as unfounded.
This edition of the Champions Trophy marks the tournament’s return after a gap of eight years, with Pakistan having won the last edition in 2017 by defeating India in the final. The renovations and upgrades are seen as a critical step in Pakistan’s preparations for hosting this prestigious event.
