Putting ICC Champions Trophy concern to rest, PCB shows a new-look Gaddafi Stadium

Despite ticket sales commencing, concerns remain until PCB officially declares the stadiums ready.

Amid mounting concerns over the readiness of venues for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. In a video posted on social media platform ‘X’, the PCB showcased the stadium’s upgraded infrastructure under floodlights, which looked quite decent.

No issues says PCB!

Pakistan is set to host the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy; however, India has opted to play all its matches in Dubai due to security concerns. While questions persist regarding the timely completion of renovation work, PCB officials remain confident. A recent report from Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language newspaper, read out skepticism over the completion deadline but acknowledged the determination of the personnel involved.

Alongside Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi’s National Stadium is also undergoing massive upgrades, with PCB officials assuring that work will be completed on schedule. The first match of the event, featuring Pakistan and New Zealand, is scheduled for February 19 at Gaddafi Stadium. In total, the PCB has invested approximately PKR 12 billion in renovation, construction, and restoration efforts across all three venues.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently visited the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and assured that all three stadiums will be competition-ready by January 31. This comes after a massive Rs 586 crore renovation project, which has been ongoing for five months but still hasn’t been completed.