On Tuesday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah opened the rebuilt National Cricket Stadium in Karachi one week following the ceremonial inauguration of Lahore’s redesigned Gaddafi Stadium.
Also present at the event were Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and others.
Both venues have undergone quick renovations before the long-awaited Champions Trophy 2025.
The stadium’s grand opening, which is also National Bank Cricket Arena, combined music with bon mots.
The PCB has asked the Test cricketers from Karachi to show up and liven the affair.
Enclosures in the stadium will be named for Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan, per to.
“Maza aa gaya Lahore, Next one Karachi stadium 11th Insha Allah!” singer Ali Zafar exclaimed in a social media post. Karachi tayyar ho?!!”
For attendees, admission to the event was free provided they had their ID cards. Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali, and Sahir Ali Bagga performed in the opening ceremony.
Additionally on show to captivate the guests were fireworks.
TROPHY Gala Champions
The Champions Trophy 2025 will be hosted by Pakistan, therefore enhancing the soft image of that nation worldwide.
The event is set for Pakistan from February 19 until March 9. The PCB has till February 11 to adjust the squad.
On February 19, Pakistan and New Zealand will square off in their first game at the National Stadium. Under a “fusion model,” the intense game between Pakistan and India will take place in the UAE on February 23 (Sunday).
The Karachi police also revealed the media traffic plan for the Champions Trophy.
GADDAFI STADIUM
After its completion in a record 117 days, another important site for the Champions Trophy 2025 opened on February 7.
The renovated stadium opened by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he said, was evidence of effective PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s monitoring. “This is an era of Mohsin Speed,” the prime minister remarked in a lighthearted tone.
The top said he hoped the Pakistani bowlers and batters would live up to public expectations and provide them some relief. He spoke to the players, urging them to beat India and capture the hearts of the nation passionate about cricket.
Mohsin Naqvi, in the meantime, gave compliments to the workers involved in stadium renovation. For the past three months, he said, some of the employees had not visited their homes.
In appreciation of more than 1,500 workers who helped Gaddafi Stadium to be completed in a “record time,” the PCB chairman also organized a special luncheon.
The PCB chairman paid a visit to each employee seated at their desks, greeted them, and shared lunch with them. He gave thanks to the staff for their relentless work on finishing the stadium.
The visitors captured shots and selfies with the PCB chairman.
