The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) addressed concerns regarding the readiness of venues for this year’s Champions Trophy by hosting a media tour of the stadiums in Lahore and Karachi on Monday.
The eight-team, 50-over Champions Trophy marks Pakistan’s first global cricket tournament in 28 years. However, due to strained relations between India and Pakistan, India will play all their matches in Dubai.
Stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi are undergoing upgrades.
“We are on track to complete the renovation and upgrade of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore,” said PCB spokesperson Sami Ul Hasan. “The venue is expected to be handed over to us by the end of the month. We have no doubt about Gaddafi Stadium’s operational readiness to host the Champions Trophy match between Australia and England on February 22.”
The stadium’s capacity has been expanded to 35,000, with new hospitality areas added.
Next month, Lahore and Karachi will host a tri-nation series involving New Zealand and South Africa as a final readiness test for the Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19.