LAHORE: Urging the Pakistan cricket team to give its best at the upcoming Champions Trophy, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the country will show the world its hospitality when the tournament begins.

Addressing a large gathering at the inauguration of the renovated Gaddafi Stadium, Shehbaz hoped Pakistan will beat arch-rivals India in their high-voltage clash of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Feb 23.

India’s matches of the tournament — the first ICC event to be hosted by Pakistan since it was co-host for the 1996 ODI World Cup — are being played in neutral United Arab Emirates after its government refused to send its team to Pakistan and the prime minister stated: “We will show the world that we are great hosts.”

He added that he had high expectations from the Pakistan side.

“We all are praying for you. We are all waiting for the moment when you will defeat India,” he said. “Babar Azam and [captain] Mohammad Rizwan, we have lots of expectations from you. Shaheen Shah Afridi, you should follow in the footsteps of your father-in-law [Shahid Afridi] and pile up wickets.”

The ceremony was also attended by the Pakistan team, which unveiled its kit for the Champions Trophy, besides Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and many federal and provincial ministers.

Shehbaz praised the work done by Mohsin, the Punjab government and the FWO in completing the renovation of the Gaddafi Stadium in a record span of just 117 days during which LED floodlights, larger score screens, new hospitality boxes and upgraded seating were installed.

Mohsin said that the “Champions Trophy was for all of Pakistan”.

In a musical ceremony that followed, singers Arif Lohar, Ali Zafar and Aima Baig performed with a lights and fireworks show also part of the inauguration.

When the PCB began its expansive renovation plan for the three Champions Trophy venues in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, there were concerns whether they will be ready in time.

Following the inauguration of the Gaddafi Stadium, a ceremony for Karachi’s National Bank Stadium — which hosts the Champions Trophy opener between Pakistan and New Zealand on Feb 19 — is set for Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2025