Tag: National Bank Stadium

KARACHI: The newly renovated National Stadium was inaugurated in a glittering ceremony here on Tuesday ahead of the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Representing President Asif Ali Zardari at the ceremony, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori jointly inaugurated the newly upgraded National Bank Stadium.

The event was also attended by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, national team, former cricketers and several other dignitaries.

The star-studded opening ceremony will feature renowned national singers Shafqat Amanat Ali, Ali Zafar, and Sahir Ali Bagga.

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The stadium’s construction, which took four months, now features world-class facilities for players and spectators. A new pavilion — the University Road End — was also officially opened.

The new pavilion includes world-class dressing rooms for players and match officials, complemented by high-quality hospitality rooms.

The PCB released an official statement regarding the constructing and upgrading the National Stadium in Karachi.

“Developed in a record time of around four months, the facility underscores the dedication and efficiency behind the stadium’s rapid transformation,” the cricket board said in an official statement.

It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February, with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each venue will feature three group games, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March unless India qualifies, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. India will play in three group matches, and the first semi-final will be played in Dubai.

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KARACHI: A six-member International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation visited the National Bank Stadium here on Thursday to evaluate the progress of the preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

The delegation thoroughly assessed the ongoing development work and took photographs of various sections of the stadium.

They were accompanied by representatives of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), including Usman Wahla, PCB’s Director of International Cricket, who provided an extensive briefing on the progress.

According to sources, 90% of the construction and renovation work at the National Bank Stadium has already been completed.

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The visit to Karachi was part of a larger assessment plan, with the ICC delegation also scheduled to inspect venues in Rawalpindi and Lahore in the coming days.

The tour aims to ensure all necessary facilities, including an ICC temporary office to be set up in a newly constructed building, are in place before the tournament.

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

Meanwhile, the season finale is scheduled on 9 March in Lahore, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

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