Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the true job for Pakistan isn’t just profitable the ICC Champions Trophy but in addition defeating archrival India in Dubai on February 23.
Talking on the inauguration ceremony of the renovated and upgraded Gaddafi stadium on Friday night time, Sharif mentioned the gamers should give their greatest towards India.
“Now we have an excellent facet they usually have performed effectively in latest instances however the true job now’s to not solely win the Champions Trophy but in addition defeat our archrival India within the upcoming match in Dubai. Your complete nation stands behind them,” Sharif mentioned.
Pakistan and India have a historical past of cricket rivalry and customarily the Indian crew has held the benefit in ICC occasions because the 90s.
Pakistan’s final win in an ICC occasion towards India got here in 2021 once they received in Dubai within the T20 World Cup.
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However with India refusing to ship its crew to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and given the latest tense relations between the 2 cricket boards, the February 23 match has that additional edge to it.
Pakistan will enter the event as defending champion. It was final held in 2017 in England with Pakistan profitable the ultimate.
“It’s a large event for Pakistan that we’re internet hosting an enormous ICC occasion after practically 29 years,” Sharif mentioned.
Sharif expressed pleasure concerning the alternative to host the Champions Trophy in Pakistan after 29 years. He’s thrilled with the new-look stadium and the improved services, saying it displays the spirit of Pakistan’s cricketing ardour. “I’ve full confidence that our crew will proceed to make the nation proud within the upcoming Champions Trophy,” he mentioned.
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The inauguration ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished figures, together with politicians, authorities officers, PCB representatives, members of the nationwide males’s cricket crew, PSL franchise house owners, and former PCB chairmen Zaka Ashraf and Najam Sethi.
The ceremony celebrated the completion of Gaddafi Stadium’s renovation in simply 117 days.
On the occasion, famend singers Ali Zafar, Arif Lohar, and Aima Baig carried out for the viewers, adopted by a shocking fireworks show, a vibrant drum present, and a novel gentle present.