Several social media users had speculated that the name of Imran Khan, Pakistan’s World Cup Captain, had been removed from the VIP cabinet at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore due to political reasons.
Source within Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has cetegorically rejected these rumors circulating on social media, reported Express News.
A PCB official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that no names have been changed or removed from the stadium.
“These reports are baseless. No cabinet names have been changed and all enclosures remain as they were,” the official said.
The denial comes in the midst of the ongoing renovation at Gaddafi Stadium as Pakistan is preparing to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The stadium has undergone significant upgrades and modernization to meet international standards.
The Imran Khan cans have been a prominent part of the stadium since 1992 and honored the role of the former cricket in Pakistan’s historic World Cup.
PCB’s clarification follows widespread speculation online, with some that suggest that the name was removed due to political considerations. However, officials insist that the reports are completely false and part of an ongoing disinformation campaign.
The stadium’s recent upgrades include new seating, improved facilities and improved infrastructure, ensuring an improved experience for players and fans.
In addition, a monumental 25-foot-high, two-ton iron statue of a ‘running man’ was installed at the entrance to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore ahead of ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
The statue has been constructed under the directives of the Punjab government as part of the ongoing renovation of the stadium.
The sculpture, designed to capture the energy and movement of a full sprint cricketer, will stand near Nishtar Park Sports Complex. Performed in just 18 days, the statue is expected to become a major attraction during the tournament.
To further improve the experience for fans, the statue will be illuminated with colorful lights, which contributes to the lively atmosphere of the eight-team event that takes place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
Previously, PCB had announced renaming two encapsulations at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi to honor former cricket captains Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan.
The Quaid Cabinet is renamed by Shahid Afridi, while Majid Khan Eenclosion is renamed in honor of Younis Khan.
In addition, the PCB has decided to rename Zaheer Abbas Ins can be renamed Nazar Mohammad -Inspection. Previously, the enclosures were named after cricket legends Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas. Each enclosure has a capacity of 1,050.
