Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium is finally ready to shine—well, almost. After months of nail-biting anticipation and rising concerns over Pakistan’s readiness to host the ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the stadium’s much-needed facelift. And while it’s not entirely finished, the PCB is clearly in a celebratory mood, sharing a video of the revamped venue under its brand-new LED lights.
The PCB video, which looks like it was shot on someone’s phone, offers a 360-degree view of the Gaddafi Stadium. The clip highlights the newly installed green-and-white seats, the gleaming LED lights, and the digital screens that now adorn the venue. The PCB captioned the video with a touch of pride:
Unveiling the stunning new-look Gaddafi Stadium! Under the lights, it’s a sight to behold!
And to be fair, it does look impressive—at least from the angles shown in the video. But a closer look reveals that construction work is still ongoing in and around the Gaddafi Stadium. So, while the PCB has managed to save face by getting the stadium mostly ready, there’s still some hammering and painting left to do.
This renovation is part of Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place in February 2025. The tournament marks a historic moment for the country, as it will be the first ICC event hosted in Pakistan in over 28 years. Naturally, the pressure has been immense to ensure that the venue is up to international standards.
To mark the completion of the Gaddafi Stadium upgrades (or at least the parts that are ready), the PCB has planned a grand inauguration ceremony. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been invited to do the honors next month, adding a touch of political gravitas to the occasion.