National stadium Karachi upgrades near completion ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The renovation work at the National Stadium for the ICC Champions Trophy is in its final stages. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to hold a media briefing on Thursday regarding the stadium's upgrades. 

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the installation of a giant screen at the National Stadium began. A platform for the 80x30-foot screen has been set up in front of the Wasim Akram Enclosure, and the fitting process has started. Additionally, a 30x20-foot screen has already been installed in front of the Naseem-ul-Ghani Enclosure.

Testing of all six LED light poles at the stadium has also begun. Two more LED lights are expected to be installed in the ground in the next two days, in preparation for practice sessions before the matches.

In another update, the plan to install rented chairs in the First-Class Enclosure, named after Intikhab Alam, has been cancelled. Instead, high-quality seating is now being installed in this area.

It is important to note that the opening ceremony for the National Stadium is scheduled for February 11, and on the same day, the stadium will be officially handed over to the ICC. The third match of the Tri-Nation One-Day Series will take place between Pakistan and South Africa on February 12. The final of the series will be held on February 14.

The first match of the Champions Trophy will be played on February 19 between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium. On February 21, Afghanistan will face South Africa, and on March 1, England will play against South Africa in the National Stadium.