Inauguration Ceremony
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an exciting and star-studded inauguration ceremony for the revamped Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore ahead of the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The grand event will feature some of Pakistan’s biggest musical icons, making it a memorable night for cricket and music fans alike.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi took to social media to reveal that the ceremony will showcase electrifying performances by Ali Zafar, Aima Baig, and Arif Lohar, among other top artists from the country’s vibrant music industry. Their performances are expected to add glamour and energy to the historic occasion, celebrating the completion of extensive renovation work at the iconic stadium.
The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place at 7:00 PM, with a spectacular fireworks display set to light up the night sky. In a move aimed at promoting inclusivity and public engagement, the PCB has decided that entry to the event will be completely free, allowing cricket and music enthusiasts to witness the grand reopening without any charges.
In addition to the celebrations, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will also host a special dinner in honor of the workers and laborers who played a crucial role in the stadium’s renovation. Their months of dedication and hard work have transformed Gaddafi Stadium into a world-class cricket venue, capable of hosting international matches at the highest standard.
This grand reopening comes as part of the PCB’s broader plan to prepare Pakistan’s cricketing infrastructure for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As part of this initiative, major renovations have also been carried out at Karachi’s National Stadium, which will be inaugurated on February 11. The two venues, along with the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, will serve as hosts for multiple Champions Trophy matches.
The cricketing action will kick off on February 19, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the tournament’s curtain-raiser at Karachi’s National Stadium. Gaddafi Stadium will stage its first Champions Trophy match on February 22, featuring a high-octane clash between traditional cricketing rivals, England and Australia.
The tournament will see eight teams battling for the prestigious title across 15 matches. The teams have been divided into two groups: Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B comprises Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia. Pakistan is set to host a total of 10 matches, while four games, including all three of India’s group-stage matches and the first semi-final, will take place in Dubai.
The much-awaited showdown between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai. If India reaches the final, the match will also be played in Dubai; otherwise, Lahore will have the honor of hosting the tournament’s grand finale on March 9.
Champions Trophy 2025 – Lahore Matches Schedule:
- February 22 – England vs. Australia
- February 26 – England vs. Afghanistan
- February 28 – Australia vs. Afghanistan
- March 5 – Semi-final 2
- March 9 – Final (to be held in Lahore unless India qualifies, in which case it will be played in Dubai)
With top-tier cricket action set to unfold, the revamped Gaddafi Stadium is ready to welcome both local and international fans to experience an electrifying tournament. The grand inauguration ceremony, featuring top music stars, will mark the beginning of an exciting chapter in Pakistan’s cricketing history.
