Gaddafi Stadium getting renovated [Source: @sohailimrangeo, @Iam_Mian/x]
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) undertook a creative initiative to prevent pitch invaders in the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. In a video circulating on social media, one can notice that the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will now feature a deep moat to separate the spectators from the boundary ropes to avoid intruders into the field.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will kick-off on February 19 at the National Stadium in Karachi. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, meanwhile, is slated to host at least four matches of the tournament, including one semifinal, and the iconic venue will also host the final if Team India fails to qualify.
PCB prepares deep moat in Gaddafi Stadium
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is currently undergoing excessive renovation in a bid to upgrade the venue for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. As reported by The Nation, the PCB has installed modern LED floodlights, high-resolution SMD screens and two VVIP enclosures to the venue.
Moreover, a recent trending social media video indicates that the board has also installed a deep moat between the stands and the ground to avoid pitch invaders.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be hosting three Group B matches of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, including that between age-old Ashes rivals Australia and England. Moreover, the venue will host one of the two semifinals, as well as the final if Team India fails to qualify for the title clash.
Last week, the PCB announced Pakistan’s 15-player squad for the tournament. Mohammad Rizwan is set to continue as team captain, and he will be accompanied by fellow senior mate Babar Azam.
Here is a look at Pakistan’s entire squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy:
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.