The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, currently undergoing renovations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, is scheduled to reopen in the first week of February, according to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. During a visit to the stadium on Friday, Naqvi confirmed that preparations were progressing on schedule, with upgraded facilities aimed at enhancing the experience for players and spectators.
The renovation of three stadiums—Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi—began on October 10, 2023, as Pakistan gears up to host its first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup. Initially set for completion by January 25, the PCB extended the deadline to February 2, citing the need for final touch-ups. The other two venues, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, are facing similar delays, though officials remain confident they will be ready in time for the tournament.
Separately, the Pakistan squad for the ICC Champions Trophy has yet to be officially announced. As per the ICC website, the Green Team is the only participating side yet to confirm its final lineup, though an interim list of 20 players has been submitted. The selection process is being influenced by multiple factors, including the fitness of opener Saim Ayub and the status of Fakhar Zaman, who has been under scrutiny for breaching the players’ code of conduct. The ICC has set a deadline of February 12 for final squad submissions and player replacements.
In addition to the Champions Trophy, Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand will participate in an ODI tri-series from February 8 to 14, with PCB’s media and communications director Samiul Hasan Burney confirming that the squad for the series would be announced later today.