New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically dismissed rumors claiming that Imran Khan’s name would be removed from a section of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which is undergoing renovations. There had been widespread speculation that the former cricket captain’s name would be taken down due to his legal issues and imprisonment. However, the PCB clarified that no alterations have been made to the stadium’s structure or its naming. This statement was issued while the venue is being readied for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled in 2025.
The section of the stadium named after Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning squad, has stayed the same since the country’s historic win. A PCB spokesperson confirmed this, with a statement appearing on the Cricket Pakistan website: “There have been no changes to the names of enclosures. All enclosures remain as they were”.
The recent discussions about renaming the enclosure came after Imran Khan’s imprisonment following his conviction in a corruption case, which he asserts is politically motivated. Khan, along with his wife, Bushra Bibi, was incarcerated in January 2024, but he continues to maintain his innocence.
Additionally, the Gaddafi Stadium’s renovation committee has a tight schedule of upgrades before the event begins on February 19, 2025. A PCB source mentioned that the handover to the ICC will take place on February 11, just after the tri-nation series involving Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Other stadiums, such as National Stadium in Karachi and Rawalpindi Stadium, are also being revamped for the tournament, while matches in India will be played in Dubai due to security concerns. Despite some logistical challenges, like delays in finalizing Pakistan’s squad and updates on player Saim Ayub’s injury, the PCB is optimistic about delivering a successful event as the first ICC major since 1996.
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