The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dismissed speculation that Imran Khan’s name has been removed from an enclosure at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Rumors suggested that the 1992 World Cup-winning captain was being erased from the venue’s history amid his ongoing legal battles and imprisonment.
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PCB Denies Renaming Enclosures
📌 The Imran Khan Enclosure, a VIP stand named in his honor following Pakistan’s historic 1992 triumph, remains unchanged, as confirmed by a PCB official.
🗣 “No names have been changed or removed on enclosures. All enclosures will remain as they were earlier,” the PCB clarified through Cricket Pakistan.
💡 The rumors gained traction as Imran Khan, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on corruption charges, which he claims are politically motivated. His wife, Bushra Bibi, also received a 7-year sentence in January 2024.
Gaddafi Stadium Prepares for Champions Trophy 2025
🏟️ Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium is undergoing final renovations ahead of the Champions Trophy, set to kick off on February 19, 2025. The PCB plans to hand over the venue to the ICC on February 11 for final branding and preparations, following a tri-series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa.
📍 Other venues, including Karachi’s National Stadium and Rawalpindi Stadium, are also being revamped for the much-anticipated ICC event. However, India’s matches will be played in Dubai due to security concerns, a continuation of the hybrid model implemented for India-Pakistan encounters.
Despite delays in Pakistan’s squad announcement and fitness concerns surrounding opener Saim Ayub, the PCB remains confident in delivering a successful tournament, marking Pakistan’s first ICC event since 1996.