Has Imran Khan's name been removed from Gaddafi Stadium enclosure?
Several social media users had speculated that the name of Imran Khan, Pakistan's 1992 World Cup-winning cricket captain, had been removed from the VIP enclosure at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, due to political reasons.
Source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have cetegorically refuted these rumours circulating on social media, Express News reported.
A PCB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that no names have been altered or removed from the stadium.
"These reports are baseless. No enclosure names have been changed, and all enclosures remain as they were," the official stated.
The denial comes amid ongoing renovation at Gaddafi Stadium as Pakistan prepares to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The stadium has undergone significant upgrades and modernisation to meet international standards.
The Imran Khan enclosure has been a prominent part of the stadium since 1992, honouring the former cricketer’s role in Pakistan’s historic World Cup victory.
PCB’s clarification follows widespread speculation online, with some suggesting the name was removed due to political considerations. However, officials insist that the reports are entirely false and part of an ongoing disinformation campaign.
The stadium’s recent upgrades include new seating arrangements, enhanced facilities, and improved infrastructure, ensuring an enhanced experience for players and fans.
Moreover, a monumental 25-foot high, two-ton iron statue of a ‘running man’, was installed at the entrance of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
The statue has been constructed under the directives of the Government of Punjab as part of the ongoing renovation of the stadium.
The sculpture, designed to capture the energy and motion of a cricketer in full sprint, will stand near the Nishtar Park Sports Complex. Completed in just 18 days, the statue is expected to become a major attraction during the tournament.
To further enhance the experience for fans, the statue will be illuminated with colorful lights, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the eight-team event, which will take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
Earlier the PCB had announced the renaming of two enclosures at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi to honour former cricket captains Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan.
The Quaid enclosure will be renamed after Shahid Afridi, while the Majid Khan Eenclosure will be renamed in honor of Younis Khan.
In addition, the PCB has decided to rename the Zaheer Abbas enclosure to the Nazar Mohammad Enclosure. Previously, the enclosures were named after cricket legends Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas. Each enclosure has a capacity of 1,050.