Pakistan is ready to host an ICC event ever since the 2009 terror attack had deprived Pakistan from the hosting rights. It is not like Pakistan did not host the latest edition of the Asia Cup but hosting an ICC event is a big deal for a cricketing loving nation.
The upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy is set to kickstart from 19th February in Lahore. For this the arrangements are in progress as the Gaddafi Stadium is getting ready to host the opening ceremony and first game of the marquee event. The first game will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand.
Regarding this, the incumbent PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that the stadium is in final touch and will be ready for February 7 inauguration.
“The Gaddafi Stadium will be inaugurated on 7 February by the Prime Minister [Shehbaz Sharif],” Naqvi said. “It’s in its final stages and the last touches are being applied to it. It will definitely be completed by 7 February. We had begun demolishing this stadium in September, with the construction beginning in October. We promised it would be ready by the end of January, and you can all see how close it is to completion.”
Mohsin also said that Karachi stadium is undergoing significant renovation ahead of the Champions Trophy and the stadium will be inaugurated on 11th Feb by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardar. The stadium will host a tri-series game ahead of the Champions Trophy. The tri-series will be played by Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Earlier there were rumours that there won’t be an opening ceremony for the Champions Trophy but Naqvi said that Gaddafi stadium will host the ceremony on 16th February although not all the captains will join for a photoshoot.
“We are also holding a ceremony on the 16th of February in Lahore. We’ve invited the heads of all cricket boards of teams who are coming, as well as all ICC officials, including the ICC chairman Jay Shah. We are eager to welcome the board officials and anyone else who is attending.”
Naqvi also shot fires at people who were trying to find problems with the PCBs arrangement regarding the mega event.
“Across the border [a reference to India], there are many people who are trying to find the tiniest flaw in our stadiums and arrangements, and they will get no such opportunity. We will welcome all the arriving teams and their security and welcome arrangements. The whole of the PCB is working day and night to provide a seamless tournament.”
It is eminent to mention that the forthcoming edition of the Champions Trophy will be the first ICC event pakistan will be hosting since 1996. A total of 8 teams will be participating in the event and are divided into two groups.
Group A features Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa. Pakistan will start the tournament as the title defenders.
