• PM Sharif instructed PCB to ensure merit-based selections.
• Gaddafi Stadium’s main building will be relocated and expanded.
• Rs12.80 billion have been allocated for upgrading three stadiums.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, instructed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to ensure merit-based selections for both players and officials.

During the Gaddafi Stadium upgrade ceremony in Lahore, Shehbaz emphasized the need for merit-based decisions.

The Prime Minister also urged Naqvi to focus on improving domestic cricket and to resist any political pressure when making decisions.

“You should reform the cricket team and choose people based on merit, which is your speciality,” Sharif told Naqvi.

“Even if the prime minister recommends someone which goes against merit, you should politely decline it,” he added.

The demolition work at Gaddafi Stadium was completed in June, as Naqvi had set a deadline for the work. The debris has already been cleared.

The main building will be relocated closer to the box, with hospitality boxes in the front and PCB offices in the back.

The plan includes expanding the enclosures on both sides of the main building.

The upgrade of the stadiums is part of PCB’s plan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Three venues — Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore — will host matches for eight teams. According to PCB’s proposed schedule to ICC, all of India’s matches will take place in Lahore.

The PCB allocated Rs12.80 billion for upgrading the three stadiums: Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena, and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium.

Except for India, all eight teams participating in the Champions Trophy have already played in Pakistan. The PCB believes India does not have a valid reason to avoid playing in Pakistan.

The proposed dates for the Champions Trophy are from February 19th to March 9th.

This event will mark the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year hiatus, with its last occurrence in 2017, when Pakistan defeated India in the final.

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