Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from fans at the newly renovated National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday during a star-studded ceremony to celebrate the stadium's inauguration.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
Hosted by the PCB, the event was held in anticipation of the upcoming Champions Trophy, which kicks off on February 19. Fans were given free entry, enjoying performances from some of Pakistan's most popular singers.
As part of the festivities, the Pakistan national team, which will defend its Champions Trophy title, was invited on stage to share their thoughts on the upgraded stadium.
When Babar Azam, the team’s captain, approached the podium to speak, the few hundred fans in attendance erupted into chants of his name, applauding him with enthusiasm.
Babar patiently waited for the cheers to die down before addressing the crowd. He expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and encouraged fans to continue supporting the team throughout their Champions Trophy campaign.
During the event, Babar Azam also addressed the crowd and shared his frustration.
“I have a complaint with the people of Karachi that they do not come to watch the matches. Just as they turned up for this opening ceremony, they should come for the matches as well,” he said.
The moment was captured in a viral video shared on social media, where fans can be seen showing immense affection for the captain, underscoring the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming tournament.
Pakistan will begin their Champions Trophy title defense against New Zealand at the National Stadium, which will host three matches during the tournament.
Ahead of the Champions Trophy, the Pakistani government has invested Rs 17 billion in renovating stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. This will mark the first major ICC tournament hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup.
The highlight of the renovations at the National Stadium includes a newly constructed pavilion, unveiled during Tuesday’s event. The pavilion features state-of-the-art dressing rooms for players and match officials, as well as luxurious hospitality suites.
Remarkably, it was built in just four months. Other significant upgrades include the installation of 350 LED floodlights to enhance broadcast quality, two digital replay screens, and over 5,000 new chairs to improve spectator comfort.
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