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Gaddafi & Karachi Stadiums to Reopen in February; PCB Squad Announcement Pending
Big cricket updates! Gaddafi Stadium reopens Feb 7, Karachi Stadium follows on Feb 11. Plus, Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad announcement expected soon.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-31
Gaddafi & Karachi Stadiums to Reopen in February; PCB Squad Announcement Pending

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Friday that the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on February 7, followed by the reopening of Karachi Stadium by President Asif Ali Zardari on February 11.

The reconstruction of three major cricket venues — Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore), Karachi Stadium, and Rawalpindi Stadium — commenced on October 10 last year. At one point, concerns were raised about meeting deadlines for Pakistan's first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup.

However, PCB Chairman Naqvi assured the media that Gaddafi Stadium would be "100 per cent complete before the February 7 inauguration."

“It’s the first time in history that a stadium equipped with the latest international facilities has been prepared in Pakistan,” Naqvi said, expressing optimism that both fans and players would enjoy the modern amenities.

The renovation of Rawalpindi and Karachi stadiums is also underway, with PCB confident of timely completion despite earlier delays.

Squad Announcement Awaited

In a related development, Pakistan remains the only nation out of seven participating teams yet to announce its squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. According to the PCB, an interim list of 20 players has been submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Key considerations for finalizing the squad include the injury status of opener Saim Ayub and the potential inclusion of top-order batter Fakhar Zaman, who has faced disciplinary issues after breaching the players' code of conduct.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed that the selection committee was in session, with the final squad announcement expected later today.

PCB's Media and Communications Director Samiul Hasan Burney confirmed that the squad announcement would also cover the short ODI tri-series featuring Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand, scheduled from February 8 to 14 in Lahore and Karachi.

Fans eagerly await Pakistan's squad list and look forward to the highly anticipated reopening of world-class cricket venues in Lahore and Karachi.
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