Gaddafi Stadium, International cricket stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.
Gaddafi Stadium sits in central Lahore and holds 60,000 spectators under several covered stands that curve around the playing field. Red brickwork forms the exterior walls and long arches run along the outer sections, while inside, plastic seating fills every area for comfort during long matches.
The venue opened in 1959 under the name Lahore Stadium and hosted national and regional competitions in its early years. President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto renamed the ground in 1972 after Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi visited Pakistan, marking a political gesture of friendship between the two countries.
The stadium functions as the headquarters of Pakistan Cricket Board and primary home ground for national cricket matches, embodying Pakistan's dedication to cricket.
Floodlights with backup generators allow matches to run into the evening, and the stands house shops, offices and media rooms for broadcasts. Plastic seats replace older wooden benches in every section, making longer visits easier during Test matches that can last several days.
Pakistan scored its highest Test innings total of 699 runs against India here in 1989, setting a national record that still stands. The match became a landmark moment in the country's cricket history and fans still mention the score when they visit the ground today.
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