Champions Trophy: Pakistan opens renovated Lahore stadium | Cricket Information – The Instances of India
NEW DELHI: Pakistan unveiled a renovated stadium for the ICC Champions Trophy in Lahore on Friday, one in every of three venues for its first main worldwide cricket event in almost three a long time.
The Champions Trophy, that includes eight groups, will run from February 19 to March 9 throughout Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
India’s matches will likely be performed within the United Arab Emirates following their choice to not play in Pakistan.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore accomplished its 117-day renovation, that includes new LED floodlights, bigger scoreboards, upgraded hospitality containers, and improved seating preparations.
A preparatory tri-nation collection between Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa is scheduled to start on the stadium on Saturday.
Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
“We’re going to present the world that we’re good hosts,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on the opening ceremony.
Pakistan’s final main event was the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
The nation then confronted an extended break from internet hosting worldwide matches attributable to safety issues.
A 2009 militant assault on Sri Lanka’s crew bus in Lahore resulted in eight deaths and accidents to a number of gamers, resulting in an prolonged interval with out worldwide cricket in Pakistan.
The first concern for the upcoming Champions Trophy has been the well timed completion of stadium renovations.
The Pakistan Cricket Board initially promised to finish Lahore’s stadium by January finish.
The Nationwide Financial institution Stadium in Karachi is ready to host the event’s opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand in lower than two weeks.
Native media experiences indicated that Karachi’s renovation missed three deadlines between December 15 and January 25, earlier than setting a last completion date of January 31.
Development work was nonetheless ongoing in Karachi as of Thursday.
“The sounds of the hammers and the iron rods and drill machines nonetheless reverberated throughout the empty stands,” the English-language Daybreak newspaper stated.
“It is true that the work is not accomplished, however it’s nicely in its ending levels.”
President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to open the Karachi stadium on Tuesday.
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium continues to bear preparations, with staff portray seats in Pakistan’s nationwide inexperienced colour and putting in a scoreboard close to Islamabad.
Cricket holds important significance in Pakistan’s nationwide id and political panorama.
The present PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi serves as inside minister, whereas former cricket star Imran Khan transitioned from sports activities to grow to be prime minister.
“I need to congratulate everybody, it is a victory for your complete nation,” Naqvi informed reporters earlier than the Lahore stadium opening.
