Karachi (Web Desk/Agencies): President Asif Ali Zardari attended the opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy at the National Stadium here on Wednesday.
First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also accompanied the President.
He was received by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on arrival at the National Stadium.
The President and the First Lady, accompanied by former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, carried the Champions Trophy onto the field.
President Zardari met with the captains of the Pakistan and New Zealand cricket teams.
Later, the president and the first lady also watched the match between the two teams.
On the occasion, the Pakistan Air Force’s Sherdils team performed perform an aerial display, captivating the audience with their skillful show.
The eight-nation tournament is scheduled to be held across three Pakistani cities—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—along with a stint in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The tournament runs from February 19 to March 9, bringing top-tier international cricket to Pakistan after nearly three decades.
The last time Pakistan hosted an ICC event was in 1996 when it co-hosted the Cricket World Cup, which saw Sri Lanka defeating Australia in the final at Gaddafi Stadium.
Cricket fever is palpable across the nation, with fans eager to witness their team perform on home soil once again.
