The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a clarification that they have neither changed nor removed anyone's name from the enclosures at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. This came in after several reports claimed that the PCB has removed their World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan's name due to the current political upheavals in the country.
Pakistan have recently renovated Gaddafi Stadium for the Champions Trophy 2025 and reports claimed that Imran's name will be removed.
Imran, 72, is currently in jail as he has been fighting several cases since he was out of power in a parliamentary vote of no confidence three years back. He was sentenced to three years in jail in another corruption case in August 2023, which ruled him out of general elections held months later.
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"No names have been changed or removed on enclosures," a PCB official was quoted as saying by PTI.
The Imran Khan enclosure, which is one of the VIP stands in the stadium, has been a permanent fixture at the venue since 1992. Pakistan's Gaddafi Stadium will host three league matches of the Champions Trophy and one of a semifinal. The venue will also host the final if India fails to qualify for the decider clash which will take place on March 9.
Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to start from February 19, hosts Pakistan will play the opener clash against New Zealand at National Stadium Karachi. The marquee event will take place in a hybrid model where India will play all their matches in Dubai. Apart from India matches Dubai will host one of the semifinals and the venue for the final will also be decided based on India's performance in the showpiece event.