Champions Trophy 2025: Imran Khan’s stand to stay at Gaddafi Stadium

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied rumors that Imran Khan, a politician and former captain, will have his name taken down from an enclosure at the recently restored Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore since he was imprisoned on corruption allegations.

Because of the country’s present political climate, there were rumors that PCB will remove Imran’s name. Eight teams will compete in this year’s main event, the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 at the Gaddafi Stadium, which has been rebuilt for the occasion. India’s tournament matches will be held in the United Arab Emirates.

Since 1992, when the flamboyant cricketer led the Men in Green to their first ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the stadium’s VIP stands, including the Imran Khan enclosure, have been a constant fixture.

Meanwhile, the ‘Imran Khan Enclosure’ is the online ticketing platform for Champions Trophy matches in Lahore.

The Gaddafi Stadium will host up to three group-stage matches. Afghanistan and Australia will meet at the same location on February 28, while England will play Australia on February 22 and Afghanistan on February 26. Together with South Africa, the three teams are assigned to Group B.

If the Men in Green advance to the top four, they will face Pakistan in the second semi-final, which is set for March 5 in Lahore. If India qualifies, the summit match would take place in Dubai on March 9. However, the title-decider will be held in Lahore if India does not qualify.

Imran is currently incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Attock jail. The former prime minister of Pakistan maintains that he is the victim of a political conspiracy and has refuted accusations of corruption. But in a corruption case, a judge recently found him and his wife Bushra Bibi guilty and sentenced them to 14 and 7 years in prison, respectively.