LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the renovated Gaddafi Stadium today.
Pakistani artists Ali Zafar, Aima Baig, and Arif Lohar will perform at the opening ceremony. The stadium’s renovation was completed in a record 117 days.
Gaddafi Stadium will host the Pakistan vs. New Zealand match tomorrow as part of the tri-series. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will follow. The tri-series will be Pakistan’s last ODIs before the Champions Trophy begins on February 19.
The tri-series final between Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa will take place at Karachi Stadium. President Asif Ali Zardari will inaugurate the National Stadium Karachi in a grand ceremony on February 11.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on its official X account that Aima Baig, Ali Zafar, and Arif Lohar will perform at Gaddafi Stadium’s grand opening.
Lahore will also host the ICC Champions Trophy grand opening at Hazuri Bagh on February 16. The tournament’s first match will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. Pakistan is hosting the ICC event after 28 years.
Pakistan will hand over the stadiums to the ICC on February 14 after the tri-series concludes.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi praised the efforts behind the stadium’s completion. “I am grateful to everyone who worked day and night to finish the project on time despite criticism,” he said.
Reports suggested the PCB was five weeks behind schedule. However, the board must hand over the stadiums to the ICC by February 12.
“I especially thank the 1,000 workers who made this dream possible,” Naqvi said. He promised an improved experience for spectators with elevated seating and the removal of high fencing.
Gaddafi Stadium will host its first match on February 8, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the tri-series opener.
A similar inauguration ceremony for the National Stadium Karachi is set for February 11. President Zardari will attend the event.
Naqvi admitted that renovation costs exceeded initial estimates. However, he emphasized that modernized venues will benefit Pakistan cricket in the long run.
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The PCB initially allocated 12.8 billion rupees for upgrades, but costs have surpassed 18 billion rupees. The board clarified that it funded the project internally without government or external financial aid.
