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[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Opening ceremony of the revamped Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

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Completion of Gaddafi Stadium in 117 days - a remarkable milestone​


The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to welcome cricket fans with a spectacular opening ceremony on 7 February, ahead of the Pakistan versus New Zealand match on 8 February. The tri-nation ODI series will be followed by the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on 19 February.

Fans can look forward to a series of colourful events, including live singing, stunning fireworks and a unique light show. Renowned singers Ali Zafar, Arif Lohar and Aima Baig will grace the stage with electrifying performances, followed by a dazzling drum and firework display. The opening ceremony, to be attended by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, will be free for the public from 5.30 pm, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Under the leadership of PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB has transformed the stadium into a modern cricketing venue in a record 117 days. The stadium now features brighter LED lights, two new larger score screens and comfortable imported seating in all enclosures, ensuring an unparalleled viewing experience for fans.

Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has personally overseen the reconstruction process, making frequent day and night visits to monitor progress. His dedication has resulted in world-class facilities, including newly built hospitality boxes and upgraded amenities for both players and spectators.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi:

“Our venues are now on par with international standards and we are proud to offer cricket fans the best possible experience. The transformation of this stadium in such a short time is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.

“First of all, I thank the workers who made the impossible task possible. The combined efforts of Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), NESPAK, the contractors and PCB teams have turned this dream into reality. Despite criticism, our team remained committed and Allah Ta’ala made our path easy.”

The stadium’s enhancements ensure that fans will enjoy a world-class cricketing experience, with improved seating arrangements, exceptional viewing angles and a festive atmosphere. The PCB remains steadfast in its mission to provide top-tier cricketing events and showcase Pakistan as a premier host for international matches.

With preparations complete, the PCB is ready to deliver a grand spectacle with the tri-nation ODI series, setting the stage for an exciting ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
 
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Crowd gathering for the opening ceremony of GSL

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It's great to see that Mohsin Naqvi is planning the construction of more stadiums in Pakistan after the champions trophy.
 
The stadium looks good. Hopefully, one day I get a chance to watch an India vs. Pakistan match live there.
 
PM Shehbaz inaugurates newly renovated Gaddafi stadium

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium for the upcoming Champions Trophy on Friday.

PM Shehbaz inaugurated the stadium with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and other officials beside him.

Naqvi had said last month that the stadium in Lahore would be reopened on February 7 (today) by the premier while National Stadium Karachi would be reopened by President Asif Ali Zardari on February 11.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, PM Shehbaz said that it was a happy day for everyone that the stadium’s reconstruction was completed in “such grand fashion”.

Speaking on the Champions Trophy, the premier said that he had faith in the Pakistan team to win the tournament. “We all are praying for you. We are all waiting for the moment when you will defeat India,” he added.

“[Babar] Azam and Rizwan, we have lots of expectations from you,” the premier said.

“[Shaheen] Afridi, you should follow in the footsteps of your father-in-law and pile up wickets,” he added.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, while speaking at the inauguration ceremony, said that the Champions Trophy and the tri-series were neither the for PCB nor the government, rather it was for all of Pakistan.

“We are all one team and this is ours,” he said.

The Green Team also unveiled the kit for the Champions Trophy amid celebration.

A grand celebration with fireworks and music took place after the inauguration ceremony in front of a crowded Gaddafi stadium.

The reconstruction of three stadiums — in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi — which started on Oct 10 last year, looked in peril at one time as the board tried to finish the preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan’s first ICC event since the World Cup in 1996.

The Gaddafi Stadium, also the headquarters of the PCB, is set to host the Champions Trophy as the ICC had cleared all three venues (National Stadium, Karachi, Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi and Gaddafi Stadium) for hosting the matches but the PCB allocated a huge amount of Rs12.80 billion to revamp the three stadiums.

While the Gaddafi Stadium reconstruction has been completed, the Rawalpindi Stadium reconstruction will be completed after the Champions Trophy concludes.

The Gaddafi Stadium will host five matches, including the semi-final of the Champions Trophy — five if India fails to qualify for the final. Separately, the opening fixture of the tri-nation series on Saturday will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium before South Africa take on the BlackCaps on February 10 in a day encounter.

www.dawn.com

PM Shehbaz inaugurates newly renovated Gaddafi stadium

Naqvi says labourers are "responsible for the completion of the stadium, you are deserving of the praise”; Green Team unveils kit for Champions Trophy.
www.dawn.com
 
could have done it better with better light show and better artists don't like this arif lahor guy

overall stadium looks good
 
The good thing is that the stadium didn’t collapse, despite all the predictions from people on both sides of the border.
 
RidiculousMan said:
It was pretty iconic and looked a proper Stadium. Without roofs it doesn't look like a proper flagship Stadium.
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what is missing in this version compared to the older version? Like what the diffrence you have noticed, what was it that made it look iconic and propper stadium
 
After a long time I saw great concert-esque performance and engagement of crowd in for a sporting event.

Great to see this.
 
I said it in the thread about the trench, the stadiums looks a lot like Mohali, which is one of my favourite grounds in India.

People look to be enjoying the experience, you guys have done well. Hope the matches are good too
 
I am absolutely loving the scenes from GSL, the vibes, the feels, prime minister’s address just gives me nostalgia good days Pakistan feeling. Well done to everyone, the construction workers, PCB, Chairman and governmental authorities for making this happen. Im proud of them and makes me feel wee bit hopeful about the future of Pakistan. God bless.

Fantastic fireworks show, and then the music ceremony. The crowd is vibrant as hell, no matter where i go, lahore is always in top 3. Lahoris are a different breed.
 
Slim said:
If Khan was there, we wouldnt have this new stadium. Raja would have bent his knees to India, told us how they practically give us money and this ceremony would be happening in Dubai.
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I was just taking about pure cricketing point of view . Imran khan is a World Cup winning captain and One of the legend of cricket

I don't think anyone can deserved ( Chief guest) more than Imran khan for such a cricketing festival in pakistan .

:kp
 
RidiculousMan said:
After a long time I saw great concert-esque performance and engagement of crowd in for a sporting event.

Great to see this.
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Don't worry you'll see the likes of OP whining when the inevitable qaidi number aat soh chaar chanting begins in the tournament
 
My understanding is that this renovation, face lift is just a temporary face lift of the stadium because the contractors had told the PCB that there just wasn't enough time to make the stadium the way PCB wanted too. I believe the PCB will make further changes and renovations to the stadium once the CT and PSL is over.
 
Bhaag Viru Bhaag said:
My condolences to the Indian media and our online keyboard warriors who were eagerly spreading fake news about Pakistan failing to complete the stadium work on time for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Looks like they got embarrassed yet again. :inti
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They are missing on this thread and probably calling it mediocre in other parts of the interwebs. :afridi
 
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Bhaag Viru Bhaag said:
My condolences to the Indian media and our online keyboard warriors who were eagerly spreading fake news about Pakistan failing to complete the stadium work on time for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Looks like they got embarrassed yet again. :inti
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Hahaha. Do you know that what was first deadline to complete the works?

:kp
 
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BouncerGuy said:
You did not like the New Gaddafi??? Completed and looking better at night...

NO???

Who cares about deadlines now that the stadium is LIT
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Its good but I'm telling the reality.

PCB has done no favors to anyone by building the stadiums.

PCB Chief had said that stadiums will be built around 31 Jan but we are just 10 days away from Champions trophy and still one of the stadium works is not even completed .

:kp
 
BouncerGuy said:
All is well, that ends well.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1888117449825951965
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Ramiz has understood and accepted that the establishment and PDM is here to stay in charge of Pakistan forever and if he wants to survive in Pakistan in the long run, he has to snap his ties and association with IK and PTI and get cozy with the establishment and PDM. Can't blame him, he's not the only one who is forced to compromise.
 
Only watching it on tv but there seems to be one major flaw in the design - there’s no roof covering for any of the stands! Obviously no one thought about the comfort of the spectators - it’s not as though it gets hot in Lahore!

I’m pretty sure the whole stadium used to have a roof since the 1996 World Cup development or at least the Imran Khan and Fazal Mahmood enclosures used to (even before the 1996 World Cup).

Are we going to get back to wedding tents held up by bamboo sticks 1980s style to provide some shade in the stadiums or is a roof going to be installed later?
 
Devadwal said:
Its good but I'm telling the reality.

PCB has done no favors to anyone by building the stadiums.

PCB Chief had said that stadiums will be built around 31 Jan but we are just 10 days away from Champions trophy and still one of the stadium works is not even completed .

:kp
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Does anything ever gets done on schedule in the subcontinent? We are third-world countries for a reason.
The important bit is to be ready before the tournament begins which looks to be the case - so good job to PCB
 
Bewal Express said:
I didn't bring the political stuff. It's these scum that support a murderous thug that brought it in. I just asked how a stadium without a roof can claim to be world class. @emranabbas
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who your calling useless whenRamiz raja was awarded with the CT25 why didn't he work on the stadiums? other was the PM then too so nothing stopped him. what ever Naqvi has done in a short amount of time has been decent and the roof will be put on after the CT25
 
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Savak said:
Ramiz has understood and accepted that the establishment and PDM is here to stay in charge of Pakistan forever and if he wants to survive in Pakistan in the long run, he has to snap his ties and association with IK and PTI and get cozy with the establishment and PDM. Can't blame him, he's not the only one who is forced to compromise.
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Ooh the greed, he has more then enough money for the rest of his life!
 
emranabbas said:
who your calling useless whenRamiz raja was awarded with the CT25 why didn't he work on the stadiums? other was the PM then too so nothing stopped him. what ever Naqvi has done in a short amount of time has been decent and the roof will be put on after the CT25
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So once again where is the World class stadium? You have been in power for 3 years. In 2025 we have stadium without a roof.🤣🥰🥰
 
I dont know why everyone is complaining
The guy made a decision to make it and he made it happen
I think it looks amazing at least we can see the crowd with fresh look. And tbh pakistan doesnt need 2 tier stadiums they just about fill single stands. Our cities are not over populated like india where you can fill stadiums every day.

We just needed a decent stadium with better viewings and we got that.
Also in the 2nd phase they will be reprofiling Karachi stadiums with trench and the stands will be like lahore.

As for Pindi they dont be doing anything there
Pcb is finally looking to build a stadium in Islamabad
 
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Finally we can see mexican wave in Pakistan and the crowd
Before we could hardly see crowds even when it was full
 
tahir_dj said:
I dont know why everyone is complaining
The guy made a decision to make it and he made it happen
I think it looks amazing at least we can see the crowd with fresh look. And tbh pakistan doesnt need 2 tier stadiums they just about fill single stands. Our cities are not over populated like india where you can fill stadiums every day.

We just needed a decent stadium with better viewings and we got that.
Also in the 2nd phase they will be reprofiling Karachi stadiums with trench and the stands will be like lahore.

As for Pindi they dont be doing anything there
Pcb is finally looking to build a stadium in Islamabad
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I heard about the Islamabad stadium being built near the Margalla Hills, and it sounds like it’s going to offer some great scenery from the stands.

People are only complaining because of their political affiliations with a certain party. Politics shouldn’t be mixed with cricket, yet people are hating on the stadium and even PCB management and certain players because of these biases. Cricket should be free from politics let’s give credit where it’s due and criticize when necessary, but without letting political biases influence the judgment.

i can only come to a conclusion this certain party and the members that follow it are nothing but trouble causers
 
topspin said:
Well said. I hate it when we see guys like professor chawaldore of Hogwarts - undermine anything that doesn't come from PTI.
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I can't enjoy discussions that are influenced by political bias that's why I'm not here much. Certain members support players based on the players political affiliations rather than merit makes the discussion it self useless
 
To be brutally frank, this stadium, the supposed home of Pakistan cricket, looks pretty mediocre. It’s unfortunate that words like “world class” and “fan experience” are thrown around so liberally in Pakistan. The standards of Pakistan cricket is pretty abysmal these days, anyways, so one can see why this shambolic stadium is being hailed as a world class.

Stadiums in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and even Zimbabwe are much more advanced and modern than this atrocity.

Its presents an accurate image of the state of Pakistan cricket, and indeed of Pakistan.
 
emranabbas said:
I heard about the Islamabad stadium being built near the Margalla Hills, and it sounds like it’s going to offer some great scenery from the stands.

People are only complaining because of their political affiliations with a certain party. Politics shouldn’t be mixed with cricket, yet people are hating on the stadium and even PCB management and certain players because of these biases. Cricket should be free from politics let’s give credit where it’s due and criticize when necessary, but without letting political biases influence the judgment.

i can only come to a conclusion this certain party and the members that follow it are nothing but trouble causers
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I am also hardcore PTI supporter but that doesnt mean i shouldnt give credit where its due. I love it when there is an infrastructure being built and i will appreciate who ever build it.
 
tahir_dj said:
I am also hardcore PTI supporter but that doesnt mean i shouldnt give credit where its due. I love it when there is an infrastructure being built and i will appreciate who ever build it.
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Exactly! This only benefits Pakistan cricket. When the next government comes in, the current one isn’t taking the stadium with them it will still be there for use.

Trust me, I've seen worse stadiums in the UK—Trafford, Leeds, Bristol, and Cardiff but this is still decent by Pakistan’s standards.
 
Bewal Express said:
Fair point. But it's just a renovation. Why all the hype
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The hype is
PAKISTAN needed this and some one actuly took an initiative to do something about it and made it happed.

And your other point about the things they have done outside of cricket inam 100% with you i also hate them for they did to innocent people
 
But they are old. You guys claimed its a World class stadium. Do you have to lie all the time. Its a renovation, so why the desperate attempts to play it up? Well we know why?
 
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Bewal Express said:
But they are old. You guys claimed its a World class stadium. Do you have to lie all the time. Its a renovation, so why the desperate attempts to play it up? Well we know why?
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Question is why are you hurt? Even if people are saying they are worldclass? This is where you get exposed with your political agenda in every other thread.

🤣
 
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tahir_dj said:
The hype is
PAKISTAN needed this and some one actuly took an initiative to do something about it and made it happed.

And your other point about the things they have done outside of cricket inam 100% with you i also hate them for they did to innocent people
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It's a renovation. Why are the likes of Afrdi and these guys claiming its World class
 
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