Gaddafi Stadium Renamed After Bank Deal

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has secured a PKR 1 billion deal with a private bank to rename the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for five years, following a similar agreement for the National Stadium in Karachi. Although the PCB has not yet made an official announcement, insiders confirm the deal is finalized, marking a significant shift in the stadium's identity, which has been named after Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi since 1974. This initiative, which began under former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja in 2021, aims to help finance renovations for three major stadiums ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. PCB's current leadership under Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi seeks to bolster revenue streams to support domestic cricket. This move reflects a growing trend of corporate sponsorship in Pakistani cricket infrastructure, showcasing increasing commercial interest in the sport.