Lahore, August 19, 2024, The Europe Today: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his disappointment on Monday regarding the state of the country’s cricket stadiums, highlighting that they fail to meet international standards.
During a visit to review the ongoing upgradation work at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Naqvi addressed journalists, stating, “There’s a huge difference between international stadiums and ours […] none of our stadiums are of international standard.”
Naqvi’s remarks come as the PCB accelerates preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025. The board has announced plans to renovate Karachi’s National Stadium, Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium, and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium at a cost of Rs12.8 billion. These venues are set to host the prestigious tournament next year.
Last week, Naqvi approved the designs for the stadium renovations during a visit to the London head office of BDP Pattern, a renowned UK-based architectural firm.
In parallel, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has sanctioned a budget of approximately $70 million for the Champions Trophy, which is expected to take place in the February-March window next year. This budget will cover expenses incurred during the support period scheduled from February 12 to 18.
In light of the ongoing renovations, the PCB recently announced the relocation of the second Test in the two-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi.
Speaking on the progress of the upgradation project, Naqvi emphasized the rapid pace of construction and expressed optimism that the challenging task would be completed in time for the Champions Trophy 2025. “The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) team is working day and night. [We] will make our stadiums some of the best in the world […] providing basic facilities in stadiums is [our] first priority,” he added.
