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 among three venues for its first main worldwide cricket match in practically 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 might be performed within the United Arab Emirates following their determination to not play in Pakistan.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore accomplished its 117-day renovation, that includes new LED floodlights, bigger scoreboards, upgraded hospitality bins, 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.
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“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 match was the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
The nation then confronted a protracted break from internet hosting worldwide matches as a consequence of 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 about to host the match’s opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand in lower than two weeks.
Native media studies indicated that Karachi’s renovation missed three deadlines between December 15 and January 25, earlier than setting a ultimate completion date of January 31.
Building 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, but it surely’s nicely in its ending phases.”
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 vital significance in Pakistan’s nationwide identification 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 wish to congratulate everybody, it is a victory for all the nation,” Naqvi instructed reporters earlier than the Lahore stadium opening.