Pakistan opened a renovated stadium for the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Friday night, one of three to be used in its first major international cricket

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

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.

LAHORE: Inaugurating the renovated Gaddafi Stadium here on Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed the optimism that Pakistan will also lift the Champions Trophy. He said the national cricket team will win the hearts of entire Pakistani nation by defeating India in the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan revealed their official jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy during the Gaddafi Stadium's opening ceremony ahead of the ODI tri-series that will feature Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.

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.