Former President Asif Ali Zardari will be the chief guest at the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The stadium's capacity has been increased to accommodate 35,000 fans and new hospitality areas have been built.
Hina Munawar, a police officer with a strong background in security and operations, has been named as the first female team manager for the Pakistan men's cricket team ahead of the Champions Trophy.
The Pakistan cricket team arrived in Dubai on Thursday for their crucial Champions Trophy clash against India, hoping to bounce back after their opening loss to New Zealand.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has restricted the entry and movement of the mainstream and digital media at its stadiums in Karachi and Lahore, which are under construction ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
The dispute revolves around BCCI's reported refusal to have 'Pakistan' -- the host nation -- printed on Team India's official jersey for the Champions Trophy.
PCB chairman Naqvi hits back at social media trollers after stadium revamp
Former Pakistan Cricket Boardchairman Najam Sethi has blamed former Prime Minister Imran Khan for the decline of Pakistan cricket.
The PCB is upgrading the facilities at all three venues in the country as Pakistan prepares to host an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996, when they co-hosted the ODI World Cup.
Pakistan's players were fined 25 percent of their match fee and docked World Test Championship points for failing to maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test against South Africa.
Shaheen Afridi also missed the last two Tests against England in October.
The Imran Khan enclosure, which is one of the VIP stands in the stadium, has been a permanent fixture at the venue since 1992.
According to sources aware of developments in the Board, a few players are contemplating if they should travel to New Zealand.
2013 winners India are placed in Group A alongside defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Pakistan on Thursday said that no back channel diplomacy was going on with India after the neighbouring country refused to send its cricket team for the Champions Trophy
Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif will officially inaugurate the stadium on Friday during a ceremony, where notable artists such as Ali Zafar, Aima Baig, and Arif Lohar will perform live.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has dismissed the possibility of a 'hybrid model', under which India would play at a neutral venue while the rest of the tournament is held in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board informed the International Cricket Council on Thursday that it will not accept the Hybrid model for next year's ICC Champions Trophy.
The PCB asserted that the presence of ICC delegation, including broadcast, hospitality and event operations officials in the country, was an affirmation that the event is on schedule in Pakistan.
The opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy will be held either on February 16 or 17 and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is confident that India captain Rohit Sharma will be in attendance at the event.
Sharif, who is also the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), also told Naqvi that it was not just about money and that the sentiments of the public should also be taken into consideration.
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla has reiterated that the resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan is contingent upon the Indian government's approval.
After Abdul Qadir and Zaheer Abbas, another former great Javed Miandad also announced his intention to contest for the post of chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board in the forthcoming elections.
The ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan has seen a decline in attendance following the early exit of the Pakistani cricket team and the start of Ramadan.
A PCB source said that the presence of a large International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation, including broadcast, hospitality and event operations officials, is an affirmation that the event is on schedule in Pakistan.
At the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the seating capacity has been increased with the addition of new chairs. Additionally, 480 modern LED lights have been installed to improve broadcast quality.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has prepared a counter in case the Board of Control for Cricket in India decides to boycott the June 16 World Cup game in Manchester in the wake of Pulwama terror attack.
Bari said he is delighted to see the ICC Champions Trophy being held in Pakistan now and multiple teams landing in the country.
'As far as my comeback (from injury) is concerned, I will hopefully return to competitive cricket in a month'
Incomplete renovation work at Karachi Stadium worries PCB ahead of Champions Trophy
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday that fans have been allowed free entry at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for the remainder of the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh, according to Geo News.
Gaddafi Stadium to be handed over to ICC for Champions Trophy on Feb 11: PCB source
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday sent a legal notice to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, initiating proceedings to seek compensation from the Indian Cricket Board for not honouring the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.
The tour was scheduled to start on November 16 and would run through November 24, allowing fans to view the prestigious trophy that Pakistan last won in 2017 under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Kamran Ghulam's maiden One-Day International century for Pakistan powered them to a thumping 99-run win over Zimbabwe.
The national team, captained for the bulk of those years by Misbah Ul Haq, hosted its 'home' games in the United Arab Emirates and remained relatively successful until fixtures trickled back onto Pakistani soil in 2018.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced ticket prices for the upcoming Champions Trophy, with the lowest priced ticket starting at PKR 1000 for the General Enclosure for all matches in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
The ICC top brass is likely to finalise the hybrid model modalities for the Champions Trophy during a virtual meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday, it has been learnt.
The Pakistan Cricket Board sacked selectors Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq on Wednesday
Former captain Babar Azam, pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah returned to the Pakistan team for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances