New-look National Stadium inaugurated
Cricket
Both stadiums have been swiftly revamped ahead of the much-awaited Champions Trophy 2025.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – A week after the grand inauguration of Lahore’s revamped Gaddafi Stadium, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday inaugurated the renovated National Cricket Stadium in Karachi.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and others were also present on the occasion.
Both stadiums have been swiftly revamped ahead of the much-awaited Champions Trophy 2025.
The grand opening of the stadium, which is also known as National Bank Cricket Arena, featured a blend of music and bon mot.
The PCB has invited the Test cricketers from Karachi to turn up and add glitter to the event.
Read also: Gaddafi Stadium's swift completion result of teamwork: Mohsin Naqvi
Reports say enclosures in the stadium will be named after Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan.
Singer Ali Zafar, in a social media post, shared his excitement, saying, "Maza aa gaya Lahore, Next one Karachi stadium 11th InshaAllah! Karachi tayyar ho?!!"
Entry to the event was free for spectators upon showing their ID cards. The opening ceremony featured musical performances by Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali, and Sahir Ali Bagga.
A fireworks was also displayed to enthrall the visitors.
CHAMPIONS TROPHY GALA
Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy 2025, which will promote country’s soft image the world over.
The event is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from Feb 19 to March 9. The PCB has until Feb 11 to make any changes to the squad.
The National Stadium will host the first match between Pakistan and New Zealand on Feb 19. The high-octane match between Pakistan and India will be played under a ‘fusion model’ in the UAE on Feb 23 (Sunday).
Meanwhile, the Karachi police shared with media traffic plan for the Champions Trophy.
Read also: PM Shehbaz inaugurates newly revamped Gaddafi Stadium
GADDAFI STADIUM
Another major venue for the Champions Trophy 2025 was inaugurated on Feb 7 after its completion in record 117 days.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the renovated stadium which, he remarked, was a proof of efficient supervision by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. “This is an era of Mohsin Speed,” the prime minister said in a lighter vein.
The premier added he hoped that the Pakistani batters and bowlers would live up to public’s expectations and provide moments of relief to them. He addressed the players asking them to defeat India and win hearts of the cricket-loving nation.
Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi praised the labourers who took part in the renovation of the stadium. He said some of the workers had not gone to their houses for the past three months.
The PCB chairman also hosted a special luncheon in the honour of more than 1,500 labourers for their contribution to the completion of Gaddafi Stadium in a “record time”.
The PCB chairman visited the workers at their seats, met them, and had lunch with them. He thanked the workers and appreciated their tireless efforts in completing the stadium.
The guests took selfies and pictures with the PCB chairman.
