[PICTURES] The state of cricket stadiums in Pakistan

[Deewana Mastana]

I wonder the same about Rafi Stadium. That's been talked about for over 6 years. Are they building the Great Wall of China ?

This proposed 150k stadium is another ludicrous fantasy.

You're forgetting that this is Pakistan and it takes a good 10-15 years for buildings or something of this stature to be built.

Be it Rafi Stadium from 10 years back when I first heard it (yes from MR himself) and now this one it will be another decade or two till we see these 2 come into existence and ready.

 

[CleverSir]

Pakistan doesn’t need a lot of top shelf stadiums. 1 for each association to call home and hold international matches at.

Peshawar (KPk) - getting a new one
Pindi (Northern) - Rehab the old one, or new. Doesn’t matter
Lahore (PCB HQ) - its fine, needs maybe a small facelift.
Faisalabad (Central Punjab) - Needs rehab. Keep the charm of a small stadium
Multan (S. Punjab) - seems fine with the face lift. Needs seating.
Karachi (Sindh) - fine for now
Quetta (Balochistan) - down the road once security is good, maybe consider moving to Gawadar once the city is on its feet

Make these top notch and upgrade facilities. We don’t play enough international matches or have enough resources to spread ourselves thin.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Pakistan doesn’t need a lot of top shelf stadiums. 1 for each association to call home and hold international matches at.

Peshawar (KPk) - getting a new one
Pindi (Northern) - Rehab the old one, or new. Doesn’t matter
Lahore (PCB HQ) - its fine, needs maybe a small facelift.
Faisalabad (Central Punjab) - Needs rehab. Keep the charm of a small stadium
Multan (S. Punjab) - seems fine with the face lift. Needs seating.
Karachi (Sindh) - fine for now
Quetta (Balochistan) - down the road once security is good, maybe consider moving to Gawadar once the city is on its feet

Make these top notch and upgrade facilities. We don’t play enough international matches or have enough resources to spread ourselves thin.

Don’t think that’s the right kind of approach. A high class stadium is a long term investment. And we need as many of them as possible because we have none. Especially in the COVID era where we might, in future, see the culture of seating fans at a certain distance from one another, stadiums with higher capacity might just be the real difference.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Pakistan doesn’t need a stadium with more 35,000 capacity.

Also as a spectator, i want to be as close to the players as possible. Every Pakistan stadium I’ve seen, the first line of seats start almost 15 metres beyond the boundary line, that’s ridiculous. It should be 7 metres max.

 

[Slog]

PCB are just coming up with pie in the sky numbers and nothing ever happens.

I learnt to stop taking such far fetched ludicrous claims seriously about half a decade ago

 

[ahsan17]

Pigs are more likely to fly than this stadium being built, at least not with 150k capacity. However, a new stadium or a hugely renovated one is needed for Rawalpindi. A new stadium with 50-80k capacity is realistic though.

 

[aqeelPK]

How hard is it to grow & cut the grass properly? What a pathetic & shameful work done by the NSK's ground staff.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

How hard is it to grow & cut the grass properly? What a pathetic & shameful work done by the NSK's ground staff.

I believe it was done deliberately to aid reverse swing.

 

[aqeelPK]

I believe it was done deliberately to aid reverse swing.

How does cutting the grass randomly aids reverse swing? I think they tried to create circular patterns but failed horribly.

 

[Mesozoic]

Honestly..... watching cricket in Asia after months of watching it in Eng, Aus and SAF is just so unpleasant to the eyes.

Terrible outfields, awful squares and bad air quality.....

 

[Thunderbolt14]

How does cutting the grass randomly aids reverse swing? I think they tried to create circular patterns but failed horribly.

Rough patches in the square, abrasion for the ball. Wasim Akram was talking about it on commentary.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Pakistan doesn’t need a stadium with more 35,000 capacity.

Also as a spectator, i want to be as close to the players as possible. Every Pakistan stadium I’ve seen, the first line of seats start almost 15 metres beyond the boundary line, that’s ridiculous. It should be 7 metres max.

With a population of 210 million, we need 5 stadiums at 50k capacity and 1 flagship 100k stadium.

 

[RehanG]

Honestly..... watching cricket in Asia after months of watching it in Eng, Aus and SAF is just so unpleasant to the eyes.

Terrible outfields, awful squares and bad air quality.....

Then stop watching

 

[saeed5646]

How hard is it to grow & cut the grass properly? What a pathetic & shameful work done by the NSK's ground staff.

They did best they can it was alot bad during QeA final.Also alot of cricket is played on this ground so can hardly blame the ground stuff

 

[Lonewarrior]

[Pictures] Gwadar Cricket Stadium

 

[Belawal2014]

Majestic.

 

[offstump]

Lots of potential with Gwadar stadium, and I guess Gwadar in general. But no reason why they couldn't build stands all around and really turn it into something special.

 

[aqeelPK]

Lots of potential with Gwadar stadium, and I guess Gwadar in general. But no reason why they couldn't build stands all around and really turn it into something special.

First they need to arrange drinking water & electricity for the city.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Lots of potential with Gwadar stadium, and I guess Gwadar in general. But no reason why they couldn't build stands all around and really turn it into something special.

I'm curious, how is the supporting infrastructure around Gwadar?

Do they utilities, 5 star hotel etc? And most importantly, how is the security situation there?

 

[offstump]

I'm curious, how is the supporting infrastructure around Gwadar?

Do they utilities, 5 star hotel etc? And most importantly, how is the security situation there?

There is a 4-5 star PC hotel and some other accommodations. Supporting infrastructure is very limited and the city itself has less than 100k people. Security is probably still dicey, in fact I think the PC hotel came under attack last year but can’t remember what the situation was.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Breathtaking!!

PCB should develop this ground with seating capacity of 25-30K. This stadium looks magnificent and can also be used to promote tourism.

 

[offstump]

Any reason why Lahore isn’t a fixture for the second test? Pindi is such an ugly stadium.

 

[saeed5646]

Any reason why Lahore isn’t a fixture for the second test? Pindi is such an ugly stadium.

Exactly what the hell where they thinking. Just saw recent pic pindi looks awful especially outfield

 

[Belawal2014]

Any reason why Lahore isn’t a fixture for the second test? Pindi is such an ugly stadium.

Smog breathability and visibility issues I would presume.

 

[offstump]

Fog makes sense but it clears up in late morning, Pindi is goona look really bad on TV.

 

[Slog]

Lots of potential with Gwadar stadium, and I guess Gwadar in general. But no reason why they couldn't build stands all around and really turn it into something special.

Breathtaking!!

PCB should develop this ground with seating capacity of 25-30K. This stadium looks magnificent and can also be used to promote tourism.

No way they can fill a stadium there. No interest in the sport.

 

[aqeelPK]

Breathtaking!!

PCB should develop this ground with seating capacity of 25-30K. This stadium looks magnificent and can also be used to promote tourism.

Gwadar's total pouplation is 90k. Current capacity is more than enough.

 

[aqeelPK]

Exactly what the hell where they thinking. Just saw recent pic pindi looks awful especially outfield

Only grass & seats are missing, everything else is there.

 

[wrongun]

Wow!! That could become one of the worlds iconic stadiums. Has it hosted domestics yet? How does the pitch play?

No chance of a breeze!

 

[dildilpak]

Wow!! That could become one of the worlds iconic stadiums. Has it hosted domestics yet? How does the pitch play?

No chance of a breeze!

Magnificent!

 

[Rellu_Katta]

amazing.... just amazing ... for me its unfortunate that Balochistan is seriously damaged by the terriorst from our east and west neighbours, otherwise , I find it more beautiful than the majestic north and that in itself is a big statement

 

[Bewal Express]

As well as these stadiums being up graded or new ones built, the real effort should go into making new club grounds, and lots of them. All the big cities need them

 

[CleverSir]

As well as these stadiums being up graded or new ones built, the real effort should go into making new club grounds, and lots of them. All the big cities need them

This is basically the gist of my post earlier. We don't need massive stadiums beyond 5-6 for international/PSL. The rest of the money should be focused on putting together mid-tier stadiums for the new City Associations and clubs below that.

 

[Bigboii]

As well as these stadiums being up graded or new ones built, the real effort should go into making new club grounds, and lots of them. All the big cities need them

agreed
^ also with the poster above a decent 5K stadium should be built for City associations

 

[MenInG]

GUJRAT: To meet the acute shortage of playgrounds for the youth in Gujrat, the local cricketers have developed a cricket field on the self-help basis after a landlord spared a piece of land for the purpose on the city outskirts.

The Hayat Cricket Ground in Phulerwaan area along Northern Ring Road attracts the motorists and passers-by due to its landscape, floodlights, spectators stand, mini-huts and swings for children.

The cricket field often remains busy in hosting matches from the teams across the district even on the week days, highlighting the unavailability of such grounds in the city. Previously, the teams would play matches only from Friday to Sunday.

Akhtar Awais, who manages the Hayat Cricket Ground, says Chaudhry Abdul Khaliq had dedicated three acres of land for the cricket field at the bank of Bhimbher storm water channel near Rehmani Bridge a couple of years ago and he also provided funding to convert the land into a cricket ground.


The field, Awais tells Dawn, was named after the late father of Khaliq and a turf pitch of international standards has been laid whereas the boundary lengths have also been of international standards with 72 meters from front and 65 meters on leg and off sides. Proper sight screens have also been installed.

He says that the ground has been approved by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and it was the home ground of Nazim Cricket Club whereas the other clubs can also hire field for just Rs2,000, charged only to meet the maintenance cost.

Currently, matches of the Hayat Memorial Cricket League are being organised between 40 clubs of the district, including 22 registered ones and 18 that were allowed special entry since last September. The final will be held in February.

On the other hand, the Zahoor Elahi Cricket Stadium has been closed for the matches since the spread of the Covid-19 whereas the grounds of Zamindar College, Science College, Swedish College, Comprehensive School and few other fields, which have been the centres of sports activities in the city for the last many decades, are also unavailable for the players due to the lockdown.

The local administration had developed a cricket ground on the rear side of the Shahbaz Sharif Park in 2015-16 where some cricket tournaments were also organised. The ground has also been shut since long.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had dissolved all the cricket bodies at the district level across the country in August 2019 and since then, there was no organisation to represent the local cricketers to highlight their issues, says a former official of the district cricket association in Gujrat.

He says the local cricket clubs had constituted a four-member committee, comprising Javed Ijaz Butt, Akhtar Awais, Khalid Butt and Asim Maqsood, to look after cricket activities. The committee had called on Deputy Commissioner Saif Anwar and demanded the opening of a cricket stadium for the players.

The situation for sports in Gujrat other than cricket, like football and hockey, is not encouraging as due to the shortage of playgrounds, sports activities for the youth are diminishing.

The local sportsmen say the youth have played a vital role in bringing the PTI into power but it is disappointing to see a government led by a sportsman not providing to them with sports facilities. They have demanded the government provide them with enough facilities for sports.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2021

 

[imranyounus]

The first time I saw a match at WACA Ground. And since I have little love affair with maps the location of WACA amazed me. I always wished that Pakistan should have similar type of ground in Gawader.

It looks amazing. PCB needs to develop it Pakistan also needs few grounds in south too. here in north you can't play test match from start of November to January. It gets dark pretty soon. Right now at 40 past 3 its almost looking like late evening.

It could be a great addition along with Karachi and Multan. may be a second ground in Karachi and one in Hyderabad. should be sufficient. Technical speaking PCB should look at 2 seasons southern season can start from October to January and northern season can start from February to April, which can be extended to May or even June if they develop few grounds in north area like Muree muzafarabad abatobad, mingora or hunza for test match and play under lights in Peshawar rawalpindi Lahore Faisalabad.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Even Pakistan has some good looking places. World's views and perceptions of this country must change and i am saying this as an Indian because i want nothing but good for my brother's across the border.

 

[Saj]

Gwadar Stadium

 

[shah_1]

We need better grounds for first class, T20 and List A. Can't play in substandard grounds like State Bank of Pakistan, UBL etc.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

What would be nice is that Pakistan should host a BBQ after the match is done, give the SA lads a nice thank you send off for the tests.

 

[ataullah]

Gwadar Stadium

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This is trending on twitter and fakhar e alam is promoting it and other celebrities...

 

[UzmanBeast]

Gwadar Cricket Stadium has a lot of potential IMO.

Temperature tends to not be so hot all the time, but the landscape surrounding the stadium is pretty arid.

Wickets will be very good for batting, and there will be purchase for the spinners.

Good to see new stadiums.

 

[Lonewarrior]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55357;&#56764;️ Show us a more picturesque sports venue than the Gwadar cricket stadium in Balochistan.<br><br>We'll wait...<br><br>&#55357;&#56568; <a href="https://twitter.com/falamb3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@falamb3</a> <a href="https://t.co/lz6nUGr9HH">pic.twitter.com/lz6nUGr9HH</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1355944435326980096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Firebat]

Gwadar stadium has that NZ-like landscape quality about it, wonderful place to play cricket. Hope we continue developing it

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

I do hope PCB arrange some PSL matches at this venue. Especially in the age of Covid 19 where the stadium’s capacity is the last thing to worry about, for obvious reasons.

 

[offstump]

I think this could easily be a lower capacity laid-back type ground similar to the ones you see in NZ. The issue is security, accommodations for players etc. It's just not there right now.

 

[mastimasti]

Gwadar could be a great, New Zealand-esque type of stadium. Set up grassy banks for spectators, maybe a pavilion area with actual seating, capacity around 10-15k for cricket and you have yourself a unique cricketing experience for Pakistan.

That should coincide with larger capacities for Karachi and Lahore and smaller grounds, ala Multan and Peshawar and you got yourself some interesting venues for the revamped home cricket.

 

[MenInG]

Gwadar Stadium

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Karachi: Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani has expressed to host the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) season six matches at the picturesque Gwadar Cricket Stadium.

Gwadar’s cricket stadium was all over the internet after singer-cum-cricket presenter Fakhr-e-Alam posted the pictures on his Twitter account.

“We wish to host national, international tournaments here. PSL is popular in the country and a friendly match will also be a great step,” Shahwani said in ARY News’ morning show ‘Bakhabar Savera’

Shahwani revealed that besides this ground, many others like these are under pipeline and have been completed in Balochistan province.

“In the future, you will witness many of these grounds in Balochistan. We are planning to develop Gwadar stadium as if foreign teams are touring, the standards are of international level,” he added.

https://arysports.tv/wish-host-psl-matches-gwadar-balochistan-govt/

 

[Mean&Green]

Even Pakistan has some good looking places. World's views and perceptions of this country must change and i am saying this as an Indian because i want nothing but good for my brother's across the border.

Lol did you just seriously say some like come on bro. Our Punjab is bigger and more beautiful northern areas Kashmir is well not in Pakistan it should be an independent state IMO and gilgit skardu balochistan i don’t know which part of Pakistan is not beautiful and than we have Sindh as well with all the history and old architecture

 

[shamaan]

Gwadar Stadium

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Absolute stunning wow

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nothing can beat the beauty of our very own <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> this is Pisan cricket ground in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gilgit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gilgit</a>&#55357;&#56845; how breathtaking is this! I would request the newly elected CM Gilgit Baltistan to look into it n help the players there by providing them will all the facilities <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPCB</a> <a href="https://t.co/9Kybzz1xiw">pic.twitter.com/9Kybzz1xiw</a></p>— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) <a href="https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1357386461323083782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[SensiblePakFan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nothing can beat the beauty of our very own <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> this is Pisan cricket ground in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gilgit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gilgit</a>�� how breathtaking is this! I would request the newly elected CM Gilgit Baltistan to look into it n help the players there by providing them will all the facilities <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPCB</a> <a href="https://t.co/9Kybzz1xiw">pic.twitter.com/9Kybzz1xiw</a></p>— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) <a href="https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1357386461323083782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Didnt even know this existed. Looks like a painting.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nothing can beat the beauty of our very own <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> this is Pisan cricket ground in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gilgit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gilgit</a>&#55357;&#56845; how breathtaking is this! I would request the newly elected CM Gilgit Baltistan to look into it n help the players there by providing them will all the facilities <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPCB</a> <a href="https://t.co/9Kybzz1xiw">pic.twitter.com/9Kybzz1xiw</a></p>— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) <a href="https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1357386461323083782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This looks incredible. However, problem with Gilgit Baltistan is the usual ones. Is there a good airport that's use to the stadium? Are there good hotel facilities? Are there stable utilities? Is the security situation? If so, than it can be a great location for summer cricket in Pakistan.

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

The dreaming of hosting international teams in Gawadar, Swat, Gilgit, Quetta is just a waste of time.

Not a single PSL match will be held there in the next 10 years, let alone an international match

If you can host an international team in Peshawar (Arbab Niaz/ Hayatabad) that in itself will be a big achievement

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

The dreaming of hosting international teams in Gawadar, Swat, Gilgit, Quetta is just a waste of time.

Not a single PSL match will be held there in the next 10 years, let alone an international match

If you can host an international team in Peshawar (Arbab Niaz/ Hayatabad) that in itself will be a big achievement

To become it a reality (someday), this is how the progress should be

1) Imrpove the security
2) PCB should first host FC cricket there
3) Renovate stadiums
4) Host few PSL matches
5) Host teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh
6) Then host SL, Windies and Ireland


Till it comes to the 5th point, that is if it does, it’ll be 15+ years

 

[Slog]

To become it a reality (someday), this is how the progress should be

1) Imrpove the security
2) PCB should first host FC cricket there
3) Renovate stadiums
4) Host few PSL matches
5) Host teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh
6) Then host SL, Windies and Ireland


Till it comes to the 5th point, that is if it does, it’ll be 15+ years

It’s not happening. Live in the real world.

 

[ahsan17]

To become it a reality (someday), this is how the progress should be

1) Imrpove the security
2) PCB should first host FC cricket there
3) Renovate stadiums
4) Host few PSL matches
5) Host teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh
6) Then host SL, Windies and Ireland


Till it comes to the 5th point, that is if it does, it’ll be 15+ years

PCB's short term goal is probably to host matches in Faisalabad and Peshawar. I don't even think PCB is thinking of other stadiums for at least 5 more years if not more.

 

[pillionrider]

It’s not happening. Live in the real world.

Is security the primary concern?

Why has such a beautiful stadium been built then?

 

[Bigboii]

This looks incredible. However, problem with Gilgit Baltistan is the usual ones. Is there a good airport that's use to the stadium? Are there good hotel facilities? Are there stable utilities? Is the security situation? If so, than it can be a great location for summer cricket in Pakistan.

Gilgit is pretty safe
other things are a problem

 

[Bigboii]

Is security the primary concern?

Why has such a beautiful stadium been built then?

1- yes

2- local matches

 

[Bigboii]

It’s not happening. Live in the real world.

can play FC or Pakistan Cup

 

[Slog]

Is security the primary concern?

Why has such a beautiful stadium been built then?

1) Security is a concern but probably not as major as some would say. There’s good military presence and it would be easy to really ramp up the security levels for any high profile game. The primary concern is that this is in a very sparsely populated area (population of less than 100,000) and the little population there is has zero interest or history in cricket. This would be equivalent to hosting international games in Nagaland.

2) Not every stadium needs to host international cricket. This can have district or domestic matches. Practise camps can be held here. Most likely what it will become once the initial sheen and hype wears off is to have exhibition matches with political contexts and also be part time wedding ball.

 

[Major]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nothing can beat the beauty of our very own <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> this is Pisan cricket ground in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gilgit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gilgit</a>�� how breathtaking is this! I would request the newly elected CM Gilgit Baltistan to look into it n help the players there by providing them will all the facilities <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPCB</a> <a href="https://t.co/9Kybzz1xiw">pic.twitter.com/9Kybzz1xiw</a></p>— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) <a href="https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1357386461323083782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

this is a mountain area. i am not sure, but arnt such grounds not suitable as you could get urself injured

 

[Bigboii]

1) Security is a concern but probably not as major as some would say. There’s good military presence and it would be easy to really ramp up the security levels for any high profile game. The primary concern is that this is in a very sparsely populated area (population of less than 100,000) and the little population there is has zero interest or history in cricket. This would be equivalent to hosting international games in Nagaland.

2) Not every stadium needs to host international cricket. This can have district or domestic matches. Practise camps can be held here. Most likely what it will become once the initial sheen and hype wears off is to have exhibition matches with political contexts and also be part time wedding ball.

Read up on Gawadar the whole city is cealed up, security presence everywhere, very hard for locals to get in and out of the city due to multiple checkpoint blocking the cities entry exit and not only that even inside the city the security presence is heavy

If these are not genuine security issues than I don't know what are

 

[Slog]

can play FC or Pakistan Cup

Yup iA some day. I hope they don’t turn it into some shaadi hall

 

[Bigboii]

Yup iA some day. I hope they don’t turn it into some shaadi hall

Lol I remember the hockey stadium issue

I mean you can still control some damage in a cricket stadium but those monkeys absolutely destroyed the turf in a country where turfs barely exist

 

[MenInG]

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has designed a project for the establishment of an international standard cricket stadium in Kalam, the famous tourist resort in Swat district.

The proposed stadium will be established on 120 acres already available. The project will be completed with an estimated cost of Rs358 million in two years. Besides other facilities, the proposed stadium will have a capacity to accommodate 6,000 spectators, said an official statement.

Instead of cement concrete, artificial wood will be used in most of construction of the stadium to maintain natural beauty of the area. A meeting to review progress on the proposed project was held with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair wherein proposed design of the stadium was presented.

The statement said the chief minister directed the concerned authorities for necessary steps to start work on the project. Secretary sports Abid Majeed and DG sports Asfandyar Khattak also attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that a suitable piece of land measuring over 600 kanals was available in Kalam for construction of sports infrastructure of which only 120 acres were required for the cricket stadium.

Mahmood Khan directed the authorities to design projects for setting up a football ground and park on the access land.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2021

 

[Bigboii]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nothing can beat the beauty of our very own <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> this is Pisan cricket ground in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gilgit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gilgit</a>�� how breathtaking is this! I would request the newly elected CM Gilgit Baltistan to look into it n help the players there by providing them will all the facilities <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPCB</a> <a href="https://t.co/9Kybzz1xiw">pic.twitter.com/9Kybzz1xiw</a></p>— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) <a href="https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1357386461323083782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Test match in Himalayas...

Am I the only one who feels these large mountains don't look that good especially from a picture/tv standpoint

 

[Bigboii]

Test match in Himalayas...

Am I the only one who feels these large mountains don't look that good especially from a picture/tv standpoint

Compared to the small hill type scenery they have in NZ

 

[MenInG]

 

[ChTab]

So I was watching highlights of Ind vs Eng day 1 & I realized that M. A. Chidambaram Stadium has some concrete stands.

So if the richest cricket board in the world have some concrete seating in one of their premiere cricket stadium, surely we can forgive PCB for not installing chairs in all the stadiums.

 

[imranyounus]

Problem with cities like gilgit skardo qutta muzafarabad is 2 fold.

1 Pakistan normally plays during winter. and in winter you get very cold weather in these cities.

while the weather in these cities fluctuate at extreme end. in summer it gets quite hot too.

Mostly these cities can only be used for some domestic matches or some one of exhibition match.

 

[offstump]

What about Mirpur stadium? I had heard investments were being made to bring it up to international quality and this was back in 2012..

 

[ChTab]

What about Mirpur stadium? I had heard investments were being made to bring it up to international quality and this was back in 2012..

No airport in mirpur & I don't think there's any hotel in the city.

 

[imranyounus]

Cities that need urgent focus are faisalabad, Haidarabad, and Peshawar, Gawadar is going to be a future city that can host matches. So no harm in developing it too. Although it might not be economically feasible to host many matches there due to lack of crowd. but one of match should be hosted there.
One thing that is sort of a problem in Gawader is it's weather. It might not be possible to keep the ground open due to hot temperature. you will need shaded stands. It will be a headache to design stadium in such way that it serves the spectators and also shows back ground scenes.

 

[imranyounus]

No airport in mirpur & I don't think there's any hotel in the city.

there's no international standard hotel there to Also its way to small a city to hold any big match. at most you can hold a test match there if PCB can arrange some decent accommodation.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

Test Centers to Focus on at home for PAk

National Stadium is Pakistan fortress for sure.. but what other centers should we focus on

Hard to see cricket going to likes of Peshawar or Gawader or Hydrabad in next 5 years

The Stadiums as of now are

1) National Stadium - Karachi
2) Qadaffi Stadium - Lahore
3) Rawalpindi Stadium - Rawalpindi
4) Multan Stadium - Multan
5) Arbab Niaz Stadium - Peshwar
6) Iqbal Stadium - Faisalabad
7) Jinnah Stadium - Sialkot


which of these can be most suitable for us?

For likes of Eng, Aus, NZ, WI, SA, we should be focusing on spinning tracks so which ones of these can make that cut.

For SL, Bang and maybe WI as well, prepare green tracks?

Dont see cricket b/w Pak n India until modi is there so ...

Downside is that this will mean Pak playing a lot of cricket on spinning tracks which is not great for Fast bowling talent and also the batting wont get used to facing the bowlers on moving tracks and hence wont develop

Could be that we have "ATLEAST" a 3 match series and play 2 matches on rank turners, win and then take a chance on the green wicket

i know am being too negative but we need a good 2-3 years of solid wins

 

[Markhor]

For SENA and WI teams, best to stick to slow, low turners in Karachi, Multan and Lahore.

Against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh we should always have one Test in seam friendly Rawalpindi.

 

[Mamoon]

Arbab Niaz stadium is getting revamped but it will be very difficult to convince teams to play there over the next few years.

Peshawar is as safe as any other city at the moment, but it is hard to change the reputation overnight. Moreover, it is close to the Afghan border which is also an issue.

I don’t think PCB will consider it as a viable Test venue for a few years at least. It is better to start with a few T20Is and ODIs against some small teams and then build from there.

Don’t know the condition of Sialkot stadium these days, but Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad should be the 5 main venues.

About time we start playing some LOIs matches in Multan and Faisalabad. I am sick of all these T20Is in Lahore.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

We should have a selection of three stadiums for SENA countries - Karachi, Lahore, and Multan.

For Asian teams, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad.