Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam received a huge ovation and a heartening welcome from fans at the National Stadium in Karachi. The Pakistan Cricket Team was gathered at the event to inaugurate the renovated stadium ahead of the Champions Trophy.
PCB renovated both the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi and inaugurated them in record time ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Fans in Karachi gave enthusiastic cheers during a star-studded ceremony at the stadium. Prominent figures, including Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui attended the inauguration ceremony.
The inauguration event was held by PCB ahead of the Champions Trophy to be kicked off on February 19th. Pakistan will be the defending champions; Pakistan won the last Champions Trophy in 2017.
Former captain and star batter Babar Azam responded to the enthusiastic chants from the crowd with gratitude.
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During the event, Babar Azam also addressed the crowd and shared his frustration.
“I have a complaint with the people of Karachi that they do not come to watch the matches. Just as they turned up for this opening ceremony, they should also come for the matches,” he said.
A video of the crowd cheering Babar Azam was shared online by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Pakistan will begin their Champions Trophy title defense against New Zealand at the National Stadium, which will host three matches during the tournament.
Stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi were upgraded within a short time of four months. The upgrades consists of 350 LED floodlights to enhance broadcast quality, two digital replay screens, and over 5,000 new chairs to improve spectator comfort. Pakistan will be hosting the first major ICC event after the 1996 World Cup.