LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) welcomed the media on Monday for a tour of stadiums in Lahore and Karachi, easing concerns over the venues’ preparedness for this year’s Champions Trophy.
The 50-overs competition, which will include eight teams, will be the first international competition to take place in Pakistan in 28 years. However, because of the antagonistic relationship between the two nations, India will play all of its games in Dubai.
Stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi are being renovated, and if the competition is a success, others might be added in a nation that was judged unsafe after an attack on Sri Lankan cricket players on tour in 2009.
According to PCB spokesperson Sami Ul Hasan, “we are on schedule to complete the renovation and upgrade of the Gaddafi Stadium (in Lahore).” By the end of the month, the venue should be turned over to us.
“We are confident that Gaddafi Stadium will be operationally ready to host Australia vs. England in the Champions Trophy on February 22.”
New hospitality spaces have been constructed, and the stadium can now hold 35,000 spectators. To demonstrate their preparedness for the Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19, Lahore and Karachi will host a tri-nation series next month, which will also include New Zealand and South Africa.
Contractors have stated that the National Stadium in Karachi will be finished with renovations by January 30. A new structure is being built at the stadium’s University Road End, however the spectator stands at the Karachi location are not being renovated like those at the Gaddafi Stadium.
In addition, the venue, which will host three Champions Trophy matches and at least one tri-nation series game, is getting new digital screens erected.