The renowned Sherdil Squadron from Pakistan Air Force plans to perform an exceptional aerial display during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony at Karachi on Wednesday (the next day). The National Bank Cricket Arena will host a Pakistan-New Zealand match as the inaugural battle between teams at the start of this prestigious tournament.
After five years the Sherdil Squadron creates a skies-show when they return to perform during the grand opening event. During their performance the aerobatic team will execute numerous gravity-defying maneuvers such as barrel rolls and loops using colorful smoke trails which add to their bomb bursts. The Pakistan JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets will join the aerial display program along with the Sherdil Squadron creating a dual celebration for both cricket spectators and aviation enthusiasts.
The Sherdil Squadron took its inaugural flight on September 19, 1974 as an aerobatic team which has later participated in many international airshows across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. During 2020 the squadron brought excitement to Karachi through its Sea View beach aerobatic display as it celebrated its achievement of shooting down an Indian fighter jet one year ago. The Karakoram-8 (K-8) advanced trainer aircraft serves as the main combat aircraft of the squadron since it was designed jointly between Pakistan and China. The PAF Academy Risalpur includes the K-8 aircraft as its primary trainer but this aircraft also maintains capability to deploy weapons which qualifies it as a threat-enhancing aircraft for the PAF fleet. The aerobatic demonstration will create an exciting atmosphere that leads into an upcoming exceptional Champions Trophy tournament.
