New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declared that the renovations and upgrades to Lahores renowned Gaddafi Stadium have been completed in a remarkable 117 days preparing it to host international events such as the esteemed ICC Champions Trophy. The upgraded stadium features advanced facilities including new floodlights hospitality suites a larger seating capacity electronic scoreboards and contemporary LED towers. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi thanked the workers for their commitment and hard work in meeting the project deadline even in the face of early doubts and criticism. There were worries that the project was delayed by approximately five weeks as the PCB needed to deliver the stadium to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by February 12 just one week prior to the start of the tournament. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is scheduled to formally open the stadium on Friday at a special event that will include live performances by well-known Pakistani musicians such as Ali Zafar Aima Baig and Arif Lohar. Naqvi praised the efforts of around 1000 workers who contributed to the realization of a contemporary stadium emphasizing enhancements in the spectator experience including raised seating and the elimination of high fencing around the field. The recently renovated stadium is set to stage its inaugural international match on February 8 featuring Pakistan against New Zealand in the first game of a tri-series that also includes South Africa. Additionally the Pakistan Cricket Board plans to organize an inauguration ceremony for Karachis National Stadium on February 11 which is anticipated to be attended by President Asif Zardari. Naqvi acknowledged that the budget for the improvement of the three main stadiums in Lahore Karachi and Rawalpindi exceeded initial projections. The original budget was estimated at 12.8 billion rupees but it is now thought to have exceeded 18 billion rupees. He confirmed that the projects are fully financed by PCB resources without any external funding including from the government. The enhanced stadiums are anticipated to greatly improve the infrastructure of cricket in Pakistan in the future.