Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, expressed hope that the Gaddafi Stadium renovations in Lahore would be finished and ready for the inauguration on February 7, just in time for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

In addition, Naqvi made fun of India by saying that “people across the border” said the event would be shifted outside of Pakistan and looked for the “smallest flaw” in the stadiums while construction was underway.

Notably, the event will be hosted by PCB and will begin in Pakistan on February 19. However, in accordance with the hybrid format, India’s matches will take place in the United Arab Emirates.

According to Naqvi, destruction of the stadium began in September, and reconstruction began in October. ‘In the final phases,’ he remarked, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had promised. In the presence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Gaddafi, one of the tournament’s three sites, will be opened before the Champions Trophy 2025 opening match in Karachi.

People from both sides of the border, as well as others, said that it seemed the Champions Trophy would be transferred outside of Pakistan due to the unavailability of venues. However, I can declare that we will be aiming for the Champions Trophy and the tri-series today,” Naqvi told reporters at the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium.

“Many individuals on the other side of the border are looking for even the slightest defect in our stadiums and preparations, but they won’t get the chance. We will provide security and welcoming preparations for all incoming teams. To ensure a flawless event, the whole PCB is working around the clock,” he said.

Due to fixture congestion for the participating teams, the PCB head revealed that the Champions Trophy 2025 would not include the typical captains meet event, which is a recent norm for ICC events and involves a combined picture and press conference with all skippers.

“Facilities for teams, officials, broadcasters, and media have all been upgraded and are complete,” Naqvi said. “The tournament’s opening ceremony will take place in Lahore on the 16th. Due to certain teams’ busy travel schedules, neither the ICC nor us will be able to attend the captains’ meeting or the picture sessions.”

Speaking of India, the Men in Blue will play Bangladesh on February 20 to begin their Champions Trophy campaign. On February 23, they will play their much-awaited encounter against bitter rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.