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 Pakistan cricket squad is intensifying its preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to be hosted by Pakistan and the UAE from February 19 to March 9. Prior to the tournament, Pakistan will compete in a tri-nation ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand.

Pakistan is readying for a historic cricket season, unveiling an upgraded 35,000-capacity stadium in Lahore. The Gaddafi Stadium's renovation precedes the Champions Trophy, the first major ICC tournament Pakistan is hosting in 29 years.

As reported by The Nation, "Two VVIP enclosures, named after cricketing legends Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan, have been added to honor their contributions to Pakistan cricket. The installation of modern LED floodlights,

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,