PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has shared that PCB has extended invitation to ICC chairman Jay Shah along with chiefs of other cricket boards for the Champions Trophy matches to be held in Pakistan. (File)
While Indian captain Rohit Sharma will not travel to Pakistan for the opening ceremony and a photo shoot ahead of the Champions Trophy to be played in Hybrid model with India playing its matches in Dubai, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has shared that PCB has extended invitation to ICC chairman Jay Shah along with chiefs of other cricket boards for the Champions Trophy matches to be held in Pakistan. Naqvi was speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon days before the inauguration of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, one of the three stadiums to host Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan.
“We have invited all the participating boards including the BCCI and other cricketing boards. We have sent invitations to the ICC Chairman too. Some officials have confirmed it will come during semi-finals or final or in between the tournaments. About ICC Chairman Jay Shah, we have not got the confirmation yet but the moment any confirmation comes, we will update,” Naqvi said while addressing reporters
While the ICC and PCB had decided to host the Champions Trophy in a hybrid mode after the BCCI and Indian government reservations about travelling to Pakistan, the focus has been on the renovation of the three venues in Pakistan. With Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi and National Stadium in Karachi set to host the event’s matches in Pakistan, the PCB Chairman shared that the Lahore Stadium would be the first to be inaugurated followed by the other two stadiums. “We started to demolish the stadiums in September and today you can what’s the progress in terms of the development of the stadium here in Lahore. There were many talks but right now we stand at an important step. The Lahore stadium will be inaugurated by PM Shehbaz Sharif on February 7 followed by Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari inaugurating the Karachi Stadium followed by Rawalpindi Stadium. Un logon ke khwab bhi toote hain jo samajhte the ki sari Champions Trophy bahar le ke jayenge (The dreams of those who thought that the whole Champions Trophy would be shifted out of Pakistan have been shattered too),” said the PCB chairman.
Pakistan will play in a four-match tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa from February 8 to 14 with the first two matches in Lahore and the third match and final being in Karachi. Earlier this week, Pakistan newspaper The Dawn had reported that the stadium completion task seems impossible.
“It seems absolutely impossible to contemplate the renovation work being completed within the deadline, but the personnel handed the responsibility are beaming with confidence,” The Dawn had reported.
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