The PCB has shifted its ODI tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa to Lahore and Karachi as it prepares the two venues to host the Champions Trophy from February 19.
The four-match tri-series, starting on February 8, was originally scheduled to be played in Multan. But the PCB has decided to move it to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi, with the board saying the move “reflects the PCB’s confidence in the preparation of these advanced venues”.
The board said in a statement, “Given the advanced stage of preparations at Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium, the PCB has decided to shift the upcoming triangular ODI series to these two venues. The series involving New Zealand and South Africa ” Africa with Pakistan, was originally scheduled to be held in Multan.”
Both stadiums are undergoing significant upgrading and renovation work this season. This has caused some disruption to the calendar, with neither Gaddafi Stadium nor the National Stadium hosting any of the seven Test matches this season. Karachi was to host a Test against England, but it was shifted to Multan. Multan is also hosting two Test matches against West Indies this month.
But the task was widely considered necessary, given that Pakistan was hosting its first ICC event in nearly 30 years. The most significant renovation has taken place at the Gaddafi Stadium, where the capacity has been increased to 35,000, two new digital replay screens have been installed, and an entirely new players and hospitality precinct has been constructed. Karachi’s National Stadium has also undergone similar upgrades, while the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – which has hosted international and domestic games this season – has also undergone more minor improvements.
The PCB said that the Gaddafi Stadium will be inaugurated in the last week of January. The board “assured fans, spectators and media that all upgrade works are going on schedule and will be completed on or around the scheduled deadline”.
Of the 15 matches of the tournament, ten and possibly 11 matches will be played in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. All the remaining games, including India and one semi-final, will be played in Dubai should India make the final as well. This is part of the hybrid model that was agreed upon by the PCB, BCCI and ICC after the Indian government did not allow India to travel to Pakistan.
Leave a Reply