The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is racing against time to complete the renovation of the National Stadium in Karachi ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy next month. To ensure the work is finished on schedule, the PCB has decided to relocate all matches previously planned at the venue to alternative locations.
The National Stadium is set to host the opening match of the marquee tournament between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19. However, ongoing construction has made it impractical to hold any matches there in the lead-up to the event. According to a PCB official, the decision was made to avoid further delays in the renovation process and to minimise disruptions for players.
The ongoing renovations have also affected domestic fixtures. The final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class cricket competition, began on Thursday at the smaller UBL Complex in Karachi after being moved from the National Stadium. Similarly, the two-Test series against West Indies, initially set to include Karachi as a host city, has been rescheduled to take place entirely in Multan due to persistent delays in the construction work at the National Stadium.
Although some parts of the renovation, originally scheduled for completion by December 15, were finished on time, other tasks remain incomplete. The PCB has issued fresh instructions to the construction company to accelerate the pace of work to ensure the venue is ready for the Champions Trophy.
The National Stadium’s renovation is part of a massive Rs 12 billion project being undertaken at all three venues hosting the Champions Trophy matches, including Lahore and Rawalpindi. The upgrades at Karachi’s iconic stadium involve a comprehensive overhaul of its main building, the construction of new dressing rooms, media centers, hospitality boxes and board offices. A new electronic scoreboard is being installed, new seating is being added in the enclosures and the fencing around the ground is being entirely replaced.
The PCB’s ambitious efforts underscore its determination to present world-class facilities for the upcoming international tournament, even as it grapples with tight deadlines and logistical challenges. All eyes will be on Karachi as the countdown to the Champions Trophy begins.
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