Pakistan opened a renovated stadium for the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Friday, one in all three for use in its first main worldwide cricket occasion in nearly 30 years. The eight-team Champions Trophy can be staged from February 19 to March 9 in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, though arch-rival India’s matches can be staged within the United Arab Emirates after they refused to play in Pakistan. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium was reopened after a 117-day renovation throughout which LED floodlights, bigger rating screens, new hospitality containers and upgraded seating had been put in.
A warm-up tri-nation collection of matches between Pakistan New Zealand and South Africa begins on the stadium on Saturday.
“We’re going to present the world that we’re good hosts,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned on the opening ceremony.
Pakistan final held a serious match in 1996, when it co-hosted the World Cup with India and Sri Lanka, earlier than a compelled hiatus over safety considerations.
Militants attacked Sri Lanka’s group bus in Lahore in 2009, killing eight individuals, wounding a number of touring gamers and lengthening Pakistan’s break from internet hosting worldwide matches.
The largest concern for the Champions Trophy, nevertheless, has been whether or not the stadiums can be prepared in time.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) first promised Lahore’s stadium can be open by the tip of January.
Karachi’s Nationwide Financial institution Stadium will host the primary Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and New Zealand in underneath two weeks.
Native media reported its renovation had run previous three deadlines between December 15 and January 25, earlier than a remaining pledge to complete by January 31 was settled upon.
Nonetheless, work was nonetheless underway in Karachi on Thursday.
“The sounds of the hammers and the iron rods and drill machines nonetheless reverberated throughout the empty stands,” the English-language Daybreak newspaper mentioned.
“It is true that the work is not accomplished, but it surely’s effectively in its ending phases.”
President Asif Ali Zardari is because of inaugurate the Karachi stadium on Tuesday.
Work additionally continued on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as labourers spray-painted seats the inexperienced of Pakistan’s flag and erected a scoreboard on the floor within the garrison metropolis close to the capital, Islamabad.
The game has deep hyperlinks with nationwide satisfaction and home politics in cricket-mad Pakistan.
PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi additionally serves as the inside minister, whereas former prime minister Imran Khan used his worldwide cricket profession as a springboard into politics.
“I wish to congratulate everybody, it is a victory for the whole nation,” Naqvi instructed reporters earlier than the Lahore stadium opening.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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