Islamabad: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized the schedule for the inaugural ceremonies of the renovated Gaddafi Stadium Lahore and National Stadium Karachi. The events are part of the preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host after a 29-year hiatus.According to sources, the inaugural ceremony of the Gaddafi Stadium will take place on February 7, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the guest of honor. The National Stadium’s ceremony is scheduled for February 11, with the President of Pakistan Asif ali zerdari guest of honor.Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board has approved the schedule of both the events.
The PCB has instructed the relevant authorities to complete the stadium’s final work before the scheduled dates. A ceremony will also be held on February 16 at Hazuri Bagh, Lahore, which will be attended by prominent national figures, cricketers, and ICC officials.The Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 19, marking Pakistan’s return to hosting ICC events after nearly three decades. Pakistan is also the defending champion of the Champions Trophy, having won the tournament in 2017.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ourcesas confirmed that the upcoming Champions Trophy will likely begin without a formal opening ceremony. According to sources, the late arrival of participating teams, including Australia and England, has made it impossible to hold the ceremony.As per the schedule, Australia will arrive in Lahore on February 19, while the English team will reach after a week-long break following their series against India on February 12. This has left no window for the opening ceremony and official photoshoot.
Meanwhile, other participating teams, including Bangladesh and India, will arrive in Dubai on February 15, while Afghanistan will reach Islamabad on February 12. New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa will already be in Pakistan after playing a tri-nation ODI series in Lahore and Karachi from February 8 to 14.The Champions Trophy will kick off with the first match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi on February 19.
