Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has challenged Pakistan’s cricket team to not only aim for the ICC Champions Trophy but also to defeat India on February 23 in Dubai. The revamped Gaddafi Stadium was unveiled at a grand event.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wants Pakistan to prevail over India in the upcoming Champions Trophy and then go on to win the global tournament, which is slated to begin on February 19. Notably, Pakistan will play India on February 19 in Dubai.

India's 2009 campaign in the Champions Trophy ended in disappointment as they couldn't make it past the group stage. Notably, South Africa were the hosts of the tournament. While MS Dhoni's men lost to Pakistan in their opener, their next clash against Australia got abandoned.

Pakistan will showcase its newly upgraded stadium at Lahore when it takes on New Zealand in the opening game Saturday of a tri-series cricket tournament, which also involves an understrength South Africa.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan as the official host. However, Team India will play all its matches in Dubai. The 15-member Indian squad has been announced,

In a twist of fate, the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy ended in a joint victory for India and Sri Lanka. While Sri Lanka set a target of 245 in the final in Colombo, India's innings was halted due to heavy rain. The match was rescheduled for the next day but interrupted by rain again washed out the match.

The unveiling comes days after news reports emerged expressing concern over stadium renovations set to miss several deadlines.

Pakistan opened a renovated stadium for the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Friday, one of three to be used in its first major international cricket event in almost 30 years. The eight-team Champions Trophy will be staged from February 19 to March 9 in Lahore,