The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied the ongoing rumour that Imran Khan’s name would be erased from an enclosure at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore, which is under renovation.
Speculation has arisen that the name of the former cricket captain had to be removed from the stadium due to legal trouble and imprisonment.
However, PCB has stated that they have not made any changes regarding the structure or names of the stadium. This has confirmed that the venue will be ready for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The PCB has now cleared the confusion. A PCB official said, “No names have been changed or removed. Everything remains the same.”
Imran is presently in Attock jail in Rawalpindi and has denied allegations of corruption, insisting he is a victim of a political vendetta. However a court recently convicted him and his wife Bushra Bibi in a corruption case, sentencing them to 14 and seven years respectively in prison.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s press conference at the new-look Gaddafi Stadium.
📺 Watch live ➡️ https://t.co/wjLAEGS7QJ pic.twitter.com/lrqq0wX7YJ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 31, 2025
The Imran Khan enclosure, named after the 1996 World Cup-winning captain is still there. Meanwhile, the PCB is preparing Gaddafi Stadium for the 2025 Champions Trophy which starts of February 19.
The Stadium will be handed over to the ICC on February 11 for final branding following the Pakistan’s Tri nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa.
Meanwhile Karachi’s National Stadium and Rawalpindi are also being upgraded. On the other hand, India’s matches will be played in Dubai due to security concerns and it is confirmed that Rohit Sharma is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy Opening ceremony.
It is also reported that Pakistan Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi is also going to attend a press conference on Friday and provide the much needed update on the stadium renovation.
PCB is yet to reveal the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy and many believe the team also be announced on the same day. Placed in Group A along with India, Bangladesh and New Zealand, Pakistan will play their first match against New Zealand on February at National Stadium Karachi.
