National Stadium Karachi to be known as the National Bank Cricket Arena

[MenInG]

NBP earns naming rights for National Stadium

Lahore, 25 October 2022:

The Pakistan Cricket Board and National Bank of Pakistan have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the naming rights of one of the country’s most iconic Test venues, the National Stadium in Karachi. As such, the venue will now be known as the National Bank Cricket Arena.

Besides the naming rights agreement, the PCB and NBP will also collaborate and partner on sponsoring initiatives to promote and develop grassroots cricket across the country, including supporting the PCB initiatives of scouting local talent in the rural areas of Pakistan.

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “I want to welcome National Bank of Pakistan back in the PCB family after having supported Pakistan cricket in the past. NBP again partnering with the PCB is a great news as this reflects that prestigious organisations are willing to be associated with the Pakistan cricket brand as they see a lot of value in it for themselves.

“Additionally, I am grateful to the National Bank of Pakistan for also extending support to the PCB Pathways Programme. I have always emphasised on creating processes for the raw talent that can be professionally channelized into the national framework. In this background, this partnership with NBP is a significant movement in that direction.”

NBP President & CEO Rehmat Ali Hasnie: “We are delighted to partner with the Pakistan Cricket Board. The National Stadium, Karachi is one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world and has hosted some of the legends of all eras since Test cricket was first played there.

“We are honoured to associate with such an incredible cricket venue, our endeavour during the next five years would be to help the PCB further uplift the venue while making contributions to Pakistan cricket across the country at the grass root level simultaneously."

 

[MenInG]

How can we rename an iconic venue like that?

Old Trafford is still called Emirates Old Trafford or Headingley is known as Emerald Headingley Stadium!

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Can they just build a new 90k seater stadium. How can a country of 220 million have a 30k capacity ancient looking stadium. Labor is cheap too, what have they been doing with all the money all these years.

 

[Savak]

Can they just build a new 90k seater stadium. How can a country of 220 million have a 30k capacity ancient looking stadium. Labor is cheap too, what have they been doing with all the money all these years.

Why should they? People in Karachi rarely fill the stadium out, the attendance numbers are usually low and poor for the international games.

 

[MenInG]

Why should they? People in Karachi rarely fill the stadium out, the attendance numbers are usually low and poor for the international games.

Did you watch the series against England recently?

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Why should they? People in Karachi rarely fill the stadium out, the attendance numbers are usually low and poor for the international games.

Do you blame them? These stadiums suck. There is no fan experience.

 

[Fenrir]

Can they just build a new 90k seater stadium. How can a country of 220 million have a 30k capacity ancient looking stadium. Labor is cheap too, what have they been doing with all the money all these years.

There is no point building 90k stadiums in Pakistan.The stadiums will be empty due to lack of interest or financial constraints.In Australia and England people have the money so they fill up huge stadiums every week to watch football and cricket.The tickets for these sports are not cheap.

 

[ZafarKhan2022]

Can they just build a new 90k seater stadium. How can a country of 220 million have a 30k capacity ancient looking stadium. Labor is cheap too, what have they been doing with all the money all these years.

What money are you referring to? Pakistan has a GDP per capita of 1,658 USD.

 

[offstump]

To build a 90k stadium requires alot of funds.. funds which Pakistan doesn’t really have.. the money making model is to have suites and private boxes that corporations purchase and use to entertain clients, business partners etc. Pakistani economy is not there, so we will get a bare bones 90k stadium without these amenities. Then we’ll all complain that the stadium sucks.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Don't like the name tbh but its professional I guess...

But I will say building a 90k seater stadium isn't a bad idea but before the England T20I series, the stadium rarely filled up completely.

 

[MenInG]

Don't like the name tbh but its professional I guess...

But I will say building a 90k seater stadium isn't a bad idea but before the England T20I series, the stadium rarely filled up completely.

NSK is an iconic name for Pakistan cricket.

You cannot change such a name

All over the world the name of the sponsor is added to names of such stadiums - you don't change it totally!

 

[Local.Dada]

NSK is an iconic name for Pakistan cricket.

You cannot change such a name

All over the world the name of the sponsor is added to names of such stadiums - you don't change it totally!

It happens all the time in USA where a corporate takes over an arena and then it becomes corporate name like all state arena, At &T stadium etc.

Even in India lot of old iconic stadiums have either become secondary stadiums now or have gone name change.

It’s probably new in Pakistan but not a bad idea to outsource stadiums to corporations for better maintenance and corporates won’t do that unless they get the due for it. Maybe it’s a good move. Why so negative?

 

[Suleiman]

If there’s a stadium which should be renamed, it’s Gaddafi Stadium. Name made no sense.

NSK should be left as NSK.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The one stadium in Pakistan that actually has some history attached to it, along with a reputation of being Pakistan's fortress throughout the years gets its name changed.

Meanwhile, the stadium named after a long-dead megalomaniacal Libyan dictator who has about as much to do with Pakistan as Marlon Brando does not get its name changed.

 

[topspin]

I don't like the name but Pakistan needs the money. Lets hope the funds are used to bring in competent overseas coaches.

 

[Major]

The worst possible sponsor ever.

National Bank is the worst Bank of this country. Instead of wasting money on such stupid sponsor, they could spend that money on their poor services.

If PCB wants to create a brand image for itself, they should align themselves with bigger brands.

Look at Peshawar Zalmi. They have done their branding by doing brand affiliation with expensive brands. Maybe those companies might have paid less, but PZ own brand value has increased. Mcdonalds, Huawei, even Nike are just few sponsors .

 

[Major]

Also, does NBP get hold of the stadium or would stadium will be owned by PCB? The hospitality needs to improve. There needs to be good take away food stores inside the stadium. Alot of people that dont come to the stadium is because its just khawari to watch a cricket match in Pakistan.

If NBP has control they should improve, of if PCB has control than atleast use the money from NBP on the stadium where fans are given some service.

Man, you can go watch a local game in foreign countries, and they will have some good eateries inside.

 

[Savak]

Also, does NBP get hold of the stadium or would stadium will be owned by PCB? The hospitality needs to improve. There needs to be good take away food stores inside the stadium. Alot of people that dont come to the stadium is because its just khawari to watch a cricket match in Pakistan.

If NBP has control they should improve, of if PCB has control than atleast use the money from NBP on the stadium where fans are given some service.

Man, you can go watch a local game in foreign countries, and they will have some good eateries inside.

The PCB haven't revealed how much are they getting per year in exchange for giving up the Stadium? Will NBP be responsible for the upgradation, maintenance of the stadium?

 

[Markhor]

Would've preferred National Bank Cricket Stadium than Arena.

Anyway fans will still call it NSK. Hope they find a sponsor for Lahore.

 

[Markhor]

Also, does NBP get hold of the stadium or would stadium will be owned by PCB? The hospitality needs to improve. There needs to be good take away food stores inside the stadium. Alot of people that dont come to the stadium is because its just khawari to watch a cricket match in Pakistan.

If NBP has control they should improve, of if PCB has control than atleast use the money from NBP on the stadium where fans are given some service.

Man, you can go watch a local game in foreign countries, and they will have some good eateries inside.

The PCB haven't revealed how much are they getting per year in exchange for giving up the Stadium? Will NBP be responsible for the upgradation, maintenance of the stadium?

It's purely a naming rights deal. PCB still own the stadium and maintain responsibility for its upkeep.

 

[Kianig89]

Finally some sense prevailed in PCB and they cashed in some $$$$ NB-Arena is not a bad name all over the world this happens Allianz Arena, BayArena Redbull Arena

Qaddafi stadium should be changed into Alfalah Park

 

[Markhor]

Pakistan has the worst stadiums in the world. Most of them have no aesthetic appeal whatsoever and look so antiquated. There are exceptions like Abbottabad, Gwadar and Naya Nazimabad are nice but internationals won't be held there anytime soon.

Even India's B stadiums like Lucknow look better and more equipped for the modern age than our premier grounds. The facilities to provide comfort for fans are non-existent and some grounds still have concrete slabs for seating.

Combine that with the lowest bouncing pitches in the world as per CricViz, and watching cricket in Pakistan is a dire experience. PCB must use these funds for upgradation projects otherwise what image are we selling to the world ?

 

[Varun]

The worst possible sponsor ever.

National Bank is the worst Bank of this country. Instead of wasting money on such stupid sponsor, they could spend that money on their poor services.

It's the other way around - the PCB gets the money from the sponsor in question.

 

[MenInG]

Finally some sense prevailed in PCB and they cashed in some $$$$ NB-Arena is not a bad name all over the world this happens Allianz Arena, BayArena Redbull Arena

Qaddafi stadium should be changed into Alfalah Park

Some of our best cricketing memories are associated with NSK.

 

[ChTab]

Finally. This should have been done in early 2000's but it's never too late. Hopefully with the money they can now actually spend it to make it look a little pleasing on the eye. National Stadium Karachi is by far the worst stadium in the world.

 

[ChTab]

Can they just build a new 90k seater stadium. How can a country of 220 million have a 30k capacity ancient looking stadium. Labor is cheap too, what have they been doing with all the money all these years.

Do you have any idea about how bad Pak economy is? We've been trying to build a 35k seater stadium in Peshawar, KPK for the past 6 years it will take at least one more year to complete Arbab Niaz Stadium & you want us to build a 90k seater modern stadium.

 

[ChTab]

Brilliant from PCB now we need to get in sponsors for Qaddafi, Pindi & Multan as well.

 

[ZafarKhan2022]

I don't like the name but Pakistan needs the money. Lets hope the funds are used to bring in competent overseas coaches.

The permanent solution would be to build a coaching institute to produce domestic coaches so that competent cricket coaching can be available at the grassroots level.

 

[Fenrir]

Many football and cricket grounds in England have been renamed after sponsorship deals with companies eg Arsenal football ground is named Emirates Stadium after a deal with Emirates Airlines.The Oval cricket ground is called Kia Oval(Kia is S Korean car company).It is a good move by PCB to get sponsorship from private companies,banks etc.Big companies in Pakistan should come forward and sponsor cricket,football,hockey,tennis,squash etc.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

I just hope that they get rid of that old screen. It blocks a good 4K people from viewing the proceedings on any given day. Just install a modern one on a higher altitude so that people are not blocked from viewing the game. It’s not asking for much.

 

[Kianig89]

Some of our best cricketing memories are associated with NSK.

So what its part of the evolution and its not that stadium is getting demolished which has happened with legendary teams like Bayern Munich & Arsenal

 

[Savak]

Do you have any idea about how bad Pak economy is? We've been trying to build a 35k seater stadium in Peshawar, KPK for the past 6 years it will take at least one more year to complete Arbab Niaz Stadium & you want us to build a 90k seater modern stadium.

The Bahria Town Stadium has been abandoned for the last 5-6 years. Zero progress.

 

[offstump]

No idea why some people are up in arms over the name. The stadium itself is still standing and the memories will live on. It’s just a name change and that too with a sponsor who will pay the PCB.

 

[zoeyfactor]

PCB should share the financial aspect of the deal.

 

[MenInG]

So name changed - seeing in PCB reports

But I am sure people will always refer to it as NSK

 

[MenInG]

Look at the state of this stadium? Who would want to sit for 8 hours on these cement "seats"?

Instead of renaming it (btw no one apart from a few Pakistan TV comms call it the new name), why not ask sponsors to build a new one along with PCB and then call it whatever you want to?

 

[UP]

Pak stadiums are like jail and prison. The worst in cricketing world. Its painful and dreadful to watch these stadiums on tv. They are reflection of the country.

Bangladeshi stadiums are marginally better but they are pain in the back too.

 

[Suleiman]

Look at the state of this stadium? Who would want to sit for 8 hours on these cement "seats"?

Instead of renaming it (btw no one apart from a few Pakistan TV comms call it the new name), why not ask sponsors to build a new one along with PCB and then call it whatever you want to?

As @UP above me says, it looks like the recreation court or yard of a major prison. Maybe this is where Saul Goodman said goodbye to Kim before resuming a friendly test match with the other convicts

 

[chinaman00]

Just despicable that this is the state of Pakistani stadiums. A health and safety hazard. No wonder no-one bothers to fill Pakistani stadiums.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Look at the state of this stadium? Who would want to sit for 8 hours on these cement "seats"?

Instead of renaming it (btw no one apart from a few Pakistan TV comms call it the new name), why not ask sponsors to build a new one along with PCB and then call it whatever you want to?

Why would sponsors do that? It's not like they will be guaranteed to be long life sponsors. It's up to PCB or government to put in the funds to renovate the stadiums. Maybe the money they will get from the naming rights can be put towards these awful cement block seats. People always complain about fans not showing up but there is no proper viewing experience for the fans. It's difficult to get to the stadiums too and in my experience from when I have gone, there is no proper food to get too especially with how long cricket matches are compared to most other sports.

As for the name change, this is reflective of the modern age just like the name changes we see for stadiums in North America and those are generally very lucrative deals too.

 

[PakLFC]

May not be the same stadium but I was always uncomfortable with Lahore's Gaddafi stadium. At least National Bank Cricket Arena does seem like a foreign name. I hate it when we name our monuments after Arab's, Turks and non Pakistanis.

 

[MenInG]

What to say about this stadium

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Afridi, Younis stands named at NSK​

The National Stadium is set to honor the legacy of Pakistan's cricket legends with the renaming of several enclosures as the ongoing construction work nears its final stages for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

The Majid Khan Enclosure will be renamed the Younis Khan Enclosure, while the Quaid Enclosure will take on the name of Shahid Afridi.

Additionally, the Zaheer Abbas Enclosure will be renamed in tribute to Nazar Mohammad.

Two VVIP enclosures in a newly constructed building at ground level will have a seating capacity of 1,050. These will be named the Majid Khan Enclosure and Zaheer Abbas Enclosure, further solidifying the legacy of these cricket icons.

In a recent update from the National Stadium, work on the far-end building has made significant progress. Three floors have already been completed, and partition work is currently underway on the top floor.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is nearly finished, with final cleaning and touch-ups being carried out. Additionally, the preparation of two VVIP stands at ground level is in full swing as part of the ongoing developments.

Meanwhile, the construction of the National Bank Stadium is in its final stages, and project director Bilal Chohan has assured that the building will be completed by January 31.

The eight-team tournament, comprising 15 matches, will take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, across three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—as well as in Dubai.

The teams are divided into two groups: Group A features Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.

Hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi, while the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.

Source: The Express Tribune

 

[FearlessRoar]

Afridi, Younis stands named at NSK​

The National Stadium is set to honor the legacy of Pakistan's cricket legends with the renaming of several enclosures as the ongoing construction work nears its final stages for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

The Majid Khan Enclosure will be renamed the Younis Khan Enclosure, while the Quaid Enclosure will take on the name of Shahid Afridi.

Additionally, the Zaheer Abbas Enclosure will be renamed in tribute to Nazar Mohammad.

Two VVIP enclosures in a newly constructed building at ground level will have a seating capacity of 1,050. These will be named the Majid Khan Enclosure and Zaheer Abbas Enclosure, further solidifying the legacy of these cricket icons.

In a recent update from the National Stadium, work on the far-end building has made significant progress. Three floors have already been completed, and partition work is currently underway on the top floor.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is nearly finished, with final cleaning and touch-ups being carried out. Additionally, the preparation of two VVIP stands at ground level is in full swing as part of the ongoing developments.

Meanwhile, the construction of the National Bank Stadium is in its final stages, and project director Bilal Chohan has assured that the building will be completed by January 31.

The eight-team tournament, comprising 15 matches, will take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, across three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—as well as in Dubai.

The teams are divided into two groups: Group A features Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.

Hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi, while the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.

Source: The Express Tribune

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan, while talking to the local sports media, thanked the PCB for naming an enclosure after him at the National Stadium, Karachi:

"It’s a great thing that I am alive and present in this world, and that an enclosure is being named after me at Karachi’s National Stadium."

"We come from a country where players are only honored with enclosures or statues after they have passed away."

"I am very grateful to the PCB and the PCB chairman, and this kind of recognition greatly encourages players. I wasn’t born in Karachi or Sindh, but I played my entire cricket career in Karachi and Sindh."