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[PICTURES] The state of cricket stadiums in Pakistan

ChTab said:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1412667


Jinnah Stadium doesn't serve any purpose, It would have been better if they did construct a proper cricket stadium in that area back when it was constructed. If PCB wants to build a stadium in Islamabad they should get land near the new airport in Islamabad.
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Jinnah stadium is used for other sports, but the parking and vast area of the ground is ideal.

No stadium in Pakistan has been built on such a level or model

Parking is a huge issue. Yes you are right, that if Shakarparian is not being considered than area near the new ISB airport is idea.

Land is wayyy cheap over there, it could easily be obtained. Plus, the stadium should be made as such that it also provides parking space aswell just like how Jinnah stadium provides parking space.
 
Angrez Pakistani said:
There are so many housing projects popping up around the area that they can literally sign a partnership with any of them.
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except for Bahria or DHA there arnt that many major housing societies.

The small societies we have, there own size is of that of a whole stadium. Thus, more money is to be made on selling land.

Bahria is already working on a stadium in Karachi and they already have a stadium in Rawalpindi that is more than enough for a domestic game. Infact, if they had built good seating arrangement, a PSL was possible there.
[MENTION=149177]ChTab[/MENTION] made a good mention of the area near the ISB airport as the land there is vast, undervalued heavily. It could be made cheap.

Getting a stadium in the actual Islamabad would cost wayy much
 
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Sindh government have joined hands to refurbish and rehabilitate 17 cricket grounds across Sindh.

According to the details, a meeting regarding promotion of cricket in Sindh was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah at Sindh Secretariat last week. The meeting was attended by Chairman Sindh Cricket Association Imran Husain, PCB Director High Performance Nadeem Khan, GM Domestic Cricket PCB Junaid Zia, Secretary Sports Department Akhtar Bhurgari, Secretary College Education Khalid Haider Shah and all the divisional commissioners.

In the meeting, the PCB officials announced that the PCB is going to organize the Sindh School Cricket League in the province from February next year with the cooperation of the Sindh government. In the first phase, 239 matches would be played in 30 districts of the province.

PCB officials added that 240 school level teams and 3850 players will be part of the Sindh School Cricket League. In the second phase, 24 matches will be played between 30 teams at divisional level. In the third phase, five matches will be played between six teams in the Sindh Championship.

In the meeting, PCB officials added that the kind of talent that has emerged in cricket from Sindh is remarkable and PCB will now go to the district level in search of talent hunt.

In the meeting, Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah said that the Sindh government would provide full support to the PCB. He further added that the Sindh School Cricket league would cost PKR 27 million which would be provided by the Sindh government.

During the meeting it was decided that cricket grounds across the Sindh province would be refurbished and rehabilitated by the Sindh government in collaboration with the PCB. The Sindh Government will provide PKR 91 million and PCB will spend PKR 57 million annually in the maintenance of 17 grounds. Various cricket grounds in Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, Jamshoro, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Shikarpur and Sukkur will be restored.

Business Recorder, 2021
 
LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan has accorded approval to the construction of a Cricket Stadium in Islamabad.

Talking to Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Rameez Raja, who called him in Lahore, the Prime Minister directed to utilize all resources for early completion of the stadium.

The Chairman PCB assured the Prime Minister of completing the construction of Cricket Stadium in Islamabad by 2025.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on the upcoming Pakistan Super League season as well as the overall cricket structure in the country

https://thepakistandaily.com/pm-kha...-construction-of-cricket-stadium-in-islamabad
 
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that Sindh has a lot of talents but we the government and our institutions like PCB would have to hunt it out and provide necessary patronage to the newcomers to bloom themselves and shine the name of the country.

This he said on Tuesday while talking to Chairman PCB Rameez Raja here at CM House. Shah said that Pakistan Cricket has a long and bright future in our country but for this purpose we would have to hunt the talent in rural areas, promote and patronize them, otherwise we would remain lagged behind in this popular professional sport.

The CM said that he has constructed a Sport complex at Sukkur which has two cricket grounds, one football, one hockey and courts for squash, tennis and other sports. “I want the experts of PCB to visit them and guide them to make these grounds fit for PSL and other national or international matches”.

Chairman PCB assured the chief minister that he would dispatch his team to inspect the grounds and guide or supervise their development. The Chief Minister and PCB chairman agreed to make necessary arrangements to organize some PSL matches at Hyderabad.

Shah said that Niaz Stadium Hyderabad has the best ground but only some repairs of the stadium were required. ‘I had already decided to maintain the stadium but due to the COVID could not take up the project but now time has come to develop the stadium,” he said.

The CM said that the players would stay at best rest houses of universities or to be taken Hyderabad from Karachi by air. “Whatever would be feasible would be carried out but it has been decided that Hyderabad being hub of the rural Sindh would be given national and international matches soon,” the CM said.

PCB chief Rameez Raja said that he has a plan to hunt talent from nook and corner of the province and would launch under-18 teams and would also promote domestic cricket in different forms so that teams from rural areas of Sindh and Balochistan could be brought forward. The chief minister assured the chairman PCB of his full support for promotion of cricket.

Business Recorder, 2022
 
MenInG said:
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that Sindh has a lot of talents but we the government and our institutions like PCB would have to hunt it out and provide necessary patronage to the newcomers to bloom themselves and shine the name of the country.

This he said on Tuesday while talking to Chairman PCB Rameez Raja here at CM House. Shah said that Pakistan Cricket has a long and bright future in our country but for this purpose we would have to hunt the talent in rural areas, promote and patronize them, otherwise we would remain lagged behind in this popular professional sport.

The CM said that he has constructed a Sport complex at Sukkur which has two cricket grounds, one football, one hockey and courts for squash, tennis and other sports. “I want the experts of PCB to visit them and guide them to make these grounds fit for PSL and other national or international matches”.

Chairman PCB assured the chief minister that he would dispatch his team to inspect the grounds and guide or supervise their development. The Chief Minister and PCB chairman agreed to make necessary arrangements to organize some PSL matches at Hyderabad.

Shah said that Niaz Stadium Hyderabad has the best ground but only some repairs of the stadium were required. ‘I had already decided to maintain the stadium but due to the COVID could not take up the project but now time has come to develop the stadium,” he said.

The CM said that the players would stay at best rest houses of universities or to be taken Hyderabad from Karachi by air. “Whatever would be feasible would be carried out but it has been decided that Hyderabad being hub of the rural Sindh would be given national and international matches soon,” the CM said.

PCB chief Rameez Raja said that he has a plan to hunt talent from nook and corner of the province and would launch under-18 teams and would also promote domestic cricket in different forms so that teams from rural areas of Sindh and Balochistan could be brought forward. The chief minister assured the chairman PCB of his full support for promotion of cricket.

Business Recorder, 2022
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so Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah doesnt have a list to provide and the pcb haven't scouted the region for a very long time.

a complete joke
 
ISLAMABAD: The heads of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Friday discussed various proposals for the construction of the first ever cricket stadium in Islamabad for international cricket.

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja and CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed and other officers held a virtual meeting and decided that both the organisations through a joint venture would construct the high-tech stadium.

Sources said it was also decided that the CDA would provide land while the PCB would construct and operate the facility. However, the civic agency will remain part of the project.

“Today, it was our first meeting and we decided that a stadium will be built in Islamabad and we will provide land to PCB. Modalities for the joint venture and site of the stadium will be finalised in the next meeting which will be held in a couple of weeks,” said an officer of the CDA.

He said the project was meant to promote cricket in the federal capital which will also generate revenue for both the organisations.

It is relevant to note here that in 2012 both the organisations had also joined hands for the construction of a stadium but in 2018 the project was scrapped by the Supreme Court as it was being built in Shakarparian, which is part of the Margalla Hills National Park.

“The site of the new stadium will be finalised soon,” the CDA officer said.

A three-member SC bench headed by then chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar ruled that a cricket stadium could not be constructed in Shakarparian.

Following the court directive, the CDA took over control of the under-construction stadium and restored the site through tree plantations.

On the directive of the apex court, the CDA also confiscated Rs5 million deposited in its accounts by the PCB for the project.

A few days ago, the PCB was given the go-ahead by Prime Minister Imran Khan to establish a stadium in Islamabad by 2025.

The decision was taken at a meeting between the prime minister and the PCB chairman.

An official of PCB told Dawn that Pakistan was going to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the board would try its best to complete the stadium for holding some of the matches in Islamabad.

Currently, Islamabad has several cricket stadiums where domestic matches are held but none of them meets the international standards.

CDA officials said the ideal place for a cricket stadium was in the Shakarparian area near Islamabad Sports Complex. However, as per the statutory regulatory order (SRO) issued by the federal government in 1981, this area is included in the national park area.

They said as per the original master plan of Islamabad, around 5,000 acres in Shakarparian had been reserved for sports and recreational activities.

In accordance with the master plan, the government in 1970s constructed the sports complex but later the area was included in the national park.

However, the CDA officials hinted that the SRO of 1981 could be repealed through a new one.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2022
 
ISLAMABAD: City managers on Thursday discussed proposed sites for the first cricket stadium to be set up in Islamabad which will have a seating capacity for 60,000 spectators.

The meeting also approved Srinagar Highway signal-free project and shifting of the landfill site to Mandra in Rawalpindi.

The meeting was presided over by Planning Minister Asad Umar and attended by Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Ali Nawaz Awan, CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed, Commissioner Rawalpindi Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat, CDA Member Engineering Sayed Munawar Shah and others.

The CDA shared with the participants the design of the proposed stadium which will be constructed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The CDA chairman informed the meeting that the stadium could be constructed in Saidpur.

Minister asks CDA to select other sites for final decision by PM

Sources said the participants appreciated the design of the stadium and the planning minister directed the CDA to also explore some other sites and take input from international consultants.

The sources said it was decided that the CDA would explore another site after which the design along with the two sites will be presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan for the final selection.

“Today, the meeting was given a briefing on the proposed stadium project in Saidpur area,” Ali Nawaz Awan told Dawn. He said nothing was final rather it was decided that few others sites should also be explored before finalizing one.

On the direction of the prime minister, the CDA and PCB will construct the international stadium. The CDA will provide land and the PCB will construct the stadium.

On Friday last, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja and CDA Chairman held a meeting and decided that both the organisations through a joint venture would construct the high-tech stadium.

The two organisations in 2012 had also joined hands for the construction of a stadium but the project was scrapped by the Supreme Court in 2018 as it was being built in Skharparian which falls in the national park area.

The decision to construct an international stadium in Islamabad was taken at a meeting held between PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja and Prime Minister Imran Khan.

An official of the PCB told Dawn that Pakistan was going to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the board would try its best to get the stadium constructed to host some of the matches in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, the CDA meeting also discussed the proposed landfill site which will be constructed in Mandra in Rawalpindi as a joint venture of Rawalpindi Development Authority and the CDA.

The commissioner Rawalpindi said land had been acquired and his team wanted to start construction of the landfill site at the earliest.

It was decided that the RDA and the CDA would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) next week for having a joint landfill site. Currently, the CDA is dumping garbage in the under-developed residential sector of I-12.

The meeting also discussed the project of making Srinagar Highway single-free. One interchange and three overheads (elevated u-turns) will be constructed on the highway.

The project would be completed within a year, the SAPM said.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1669291/saidpur-proposed-as-site-for-capitals-first-cricket-stadium
 
This will be such a beautiful ground, just infront of Margalla hill
 
shah_1 said:
View attachment 114168


This might be the possible location in Saidpur
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A 60,000 seater will destroy large portion of forest in the area, PCB should build new stadium near new airport.
Don't care if it looks ugly if it gets build around new airport. But they should never temper with forests in margalla hills
 
ChTab said:
A 60,000 seater will destroy large portion of forest in the area, PCB should build new stadium near new airport.
Don't care if it looks ugly if it gets build around new airport. But they should never temper with forests in margalla hills
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I totally agree, it's a horrific idea to build a stadium in the vicinity of the hills given the importance of the forest to the air quality of the region. It's pure lunacy, I hope someone in the CDA has a rethink about this proposal and rejects it.

The area near the motorway should suffice for a new stadium.
 
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Can anyone share new construction plan images of jinnah stadium sialkot [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]
 
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Wedding seats are the only seats available, this isnt international standard. What a way to show off pakistan to the international community.
 
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BoomBoomAli said:
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Wedding seats are the only seats available, this isnt international standard. What a way to show off pakistan to the international community.
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Pindi stadium is an embarrassment. Lahore and Karachi and Multan are good. It’s disappointing that most matches will be played in Pindi.
 
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iRfaN_LA said:
Pindi stadium is an embarrassment. Lahore and Karachi and Multan are good. It’s disappointing that most matches will be played in Pindi.
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Pindi stadium is not that bad, it just needs a little up-gradation the worst stadium in Pakistan is National Stadium, Karachi. Each & everything regarding the stadium is awful: seat colors, dark enclosures & the giant screen in front of the enclosure is an embarrassment.

Once PCB invest little money at Pindi Stadium it will definitely look good.
 
BoomBoomAli said:
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Wedding seats are the only seats available, this isnt international standard. What a way to show off pakistan to the international community.
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Cemented seats like stairs are way past expiry dates. Okay for local grounds but not okay for international matches. Putting wedding seats on stairs like seating arrangement is also not acceptable for international matches.

I don't think PCB doesn't even have money to install seats. It's just careless attitude I guess.
 
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How much time is required to build a new stadium? Would love to see a new and modern stadium in Islamabad City.
 
Stadium Upgradation and Upkeep is not easy, you have to spend billions to do it and the PCB is forced to do these things out of their own pocket. The PCB posted an ad searching for Stadium Sponsors for the National Stadium, Qadhafi Stadium, Rawalpindi Stadium, Multan Stadium in December 2021 but nothing has been announced which means no one wants anything to do with it.
 
Savak said:
Stadium Upgradation and Upkeep is not easy, you have to spend billions to do it and the PCB is forced to do these things out of their own pocket. The PCB posted an ad searching for Stadium Sponsors for the National Stadium, Qadhafi Stadium, Rawalpindi Stadium, Multan Stadium in December 2021 but nothing has been announced which means no one wants anything to do with it.
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This is what it takes to hold international events, even Bangladesh have international quality stadia.

International cricket has been back in Pak for long enough for improvements to have been made.
 
BoomBoomAli said:
This is what it takes to hold international events, even Bangladesh have international quality stadia.

International cricket has been back in Pak for long enough for improvements to have been made.
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We haven't had a full fledged series with full crowds back home yet. Hopefully the Australia series turns the corner
 
Gadaffi is fine, sure they can paint the roof but that’s not really a big issue. Pindi stadium could be a very nice, intimate ground where the crowd plays a big factor. Permanent chairs will come, shouldn’t look that bad on tv once the crowds fill it up. Pakistan has no money to build a new stadium, you need atleast $1B for a world class two tier state of the art stadium. Even Rafi stadium is on the backburner and probably never goona get completed. Best bet for the PCB over next 5-10 years is to re-invest profits into staidum modernization. We’re seeing that in Peshawar, Pindi will be next.
 
Does Pakistan have the India type fan following to justify tremendously sprucing up the stadiums. This psl is an anomaly. We witnessed zero crowds in Karachi for the WI T20 matches.
 
Savak said:
Does Pakistan have the India type fan following to justify tremendously sprucing up the stadiums. This psl is an anomaly. We witnessed zero crowds in Karachi for the WI T20 matches.
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Our stadiums don’t give our fans the value for their money. They are caged away from the centre like animals. Their vision is blocked ten different things. They are sold outrageously higher priced goods and consumable items inside the premise. They face extreme security protocols when entering stadiums. They are battling extreme poverty, wage stagnation and inflation. All these factors combine to together to discourage people from coming to watch these games in the stadiums.
Make our stadiums world class value for money sites and you’ll get many a more fans in the stadiums.
 
Angrez Pakistani said:
Our stadiums don’t give our fans the value for their money. They are caged away from the centre like animals. Their vision is blocked ten different things. They are sold outrageously higher priced goods and consumable items inside the premise. They face extreme security protocols when entering stadiums. They are battling extreme poverty, wage stagnation and inflation. All these factors combine to together to discourage people from coming to watch these games in the stadiums.
Make our stadiums world class value for money sites and you’ll get many a more fans in the stadiums.
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100% Agreed.
I personally experienced this in National Stadium, Karachi.
 
Savak said:
Does Pakistan have the India type fan following to justify tremendously sprucing up the stadiums. This psl is an anomaly. We witnessed zero crowds in Karachi for the WI T20 matches.
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This PSL is an anomaly? What does that even mean?
 
Angrez Pakistani said:
Our stadiums don’t give our fans the value for their money. They are caged away from the centre like animals. Their vision is blocked ten different things. They are sold outrageously higher priced goods and consumable items inside the premise. They face extreme security protocols when entering stadiums. They are battling extreme poverty, wage stagnation and inflation. All these factors combine to together to discourage people from coming to watch these games in the stadiums.
Make our stadiums world class value for money sites and you’ll get many a more fans in the stadiums.
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This. The antiquated stadia and lack of basic facilities do not encourage a cricket watching culture. Many grounds lack any aesthetic value. Those cement seats at Pindi Cricket Ground is an embarrassment.

Look cricket is the most time intensive spectator sport. Even a T20 can take 4 hours of your time so you've got to make the viewing experience comfortable. In England the fans make a day out of going to the cricket. There's plenty of food, drink, and entertainment on offer. In South Africa and New Zealand those grass banks are fantastic for families.

However as you rightly mention, Pakistanis have less disposable income and are battling a cost of living crisis so they need a damn good reason to take to take time off work.
 
offstump said:
Gadaffi is fine, sure they can paint the roof but that’s not really a big issue. Pindi stadium could be a very nice, intimate ground where the crowd plays a big factor. Permanent chairs will come, shouldn’t look that bad on tv once the crowds fill it up. Pakistan has no money to build a new stadium, you need atleast $1B for a world class two tier state of the art stadium. Even Rafi stadium is on the backburner and probably never goona get completed. Best bet for the PCB over next 5-10 years is to re-invest profits into staidum modernization. We’re seeing that in Peshawar, Pindi will be next.
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India is building world's 3rd largest cricket stadium at a cost of $40m. I think cost vary from country to country. South Asia is a lot cheaper as compared to USA/Europe.
 
One thing that has improved is our grounds are much more lush green now. Not too long ago the grass was yellow and so many patches.
 
SpiritOf1903 said:
Rawalpindi looks like Headingley
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Headingley stadium also have concrete stands for seating 🤣🤣? Pindi stadium had awful grass last time Pakistan played SA here. Pimdi stadium is getting a bit better but still a long way to go before we can say it looks as same as Headingley etc
 
A few days ago before the start of the match I had stated that pindi stadium has poor drainage.
As it rain quite frequently in pindi/isd so the easiest way to over come this is to cover the ground as they do in srilanka.

First the poor pitch n now this
 
So poor infrastructure and groundsmen . Such a pity.

Broad daylight, scorching sunlight, no rain still no game!

PCB should send these inept groundsmen to Bangladesh Mirpur cricket stadium. I can say without doubt that this ground has got world's best facility and groundsmen who can make the ground ready after even heavy rain so quickly you just can't imagine.
 
They need to invest in better seating for spectators having wedding chairs is awful
 
Fans and spectators deserve to be comfortable if they’re purchasing tickets. I don’t think any stadium in pakistan has a “concourse” where fans can walk around, purchase food or drinks, use the washroom etc. You’re pretty much confined to your seat which is somewhat torturous especially for a test. All stadiums need full concession stands, adequate restrooms and areas where families and others can go if they want to escape the sun or their seats. Major upgrades are required to get it up to this level.
 
Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium looking good - seems 60/70% complete

FPRn8e0X0A4KC8L.jpgFPRn8PyXEAcw8gw.jpgFPRn794XIAcitts.jpgFPRn7nhXEA07RrF.jpg
 
Peshawar Zalmi management and players visiting Arbab Niaz Stadium Peshawar

4438728b-efac-4eb4-8c11-290daedaf9a1.jpg496230fb-9a6b-454f-a8c4-e3e1c35d57fe.jpg
 
No point in renovating Peshawar stadium when it's not going to be hosting any games for 50 years.
 
I would generally agree that international cricket likely isn't happening there for at least next 5 years and most likely 10 years. PSL is a possibility but foreign players won't play. It might have been better to improve Rawalpindi or Faisalabad stadiums.
 
Without a doubt the best looking stadium in Pakistan but don't think realistically it can hold international matches in next 5 years, maybe at best The PSL games or maybe W.I, SL or Ban can send their C teams here for one off game.
 
Contract for the construction of an international standard cricket stadium in Kalam has been awarded and very soon formal ground breaking of the project would be performed.

This was revealed at a meeting held here on Tuesday with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair.

Commissioner Malakand Division Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, Deputy Commissioner Swat Junaid Khan, Director General Sports Khalid Khan and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The chief minister, on the occasion, directed finalizing all pre-requisites for the formal ground breaking of Kalam cricket stadium so that physical work on the project could be started without any delay.

While briefing the meeting about various aspects of the stadium, it was revealed that a state of the art cricket stadium would be established on 341 kanal of land at an estimated cost of Rs2 billion. It was added that the said project would be completed within two years.

Besides other modern facilities, six thousand seats would be available in stadium for spectators. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that establishment of Kalam Stadium would help extend cricket calendar in Pakistan and promote local tourism at international level.

He added that with the establishment of such state of the art cricket stadium provincial economy would strengthen, create job opportunities for local people and promote other sports as well.

The chief minister termed provision of modern sports facilities to youth top priority of his government and said that the incumbent provincial government was working on establishment of a number of sports complexes in different districts.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2022.
 
Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) on Wednesday took over control of four cricket stadiums of Islamabad after cancelling agreement with Northern Cricket Association (NCA) of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

In July last year, NCA and MCI had signed an agreement, under which MCI handed over four cricket grounds of Islamabad to NCA.

Sources in MCI said that NCA had the backing of former prime minster when it took over control of the four cricket grounds from MCI. But after the ouster of Imran government in April this year, the MCI took the control back from NCA.

Under the agreement, the NCA would not only operate four grounds but will also share 30pc income from these grounds with MCI.

The NCA was responsible for repair and maintenance of the four grounds including Diamond Cricket Ground G-8, Marghazar Cricket Ground Saidpur, National Cricket Ground F-7 and Bhutto Cricket Ground G-7.

NCA is among the six cricket associations, which PCB formed on the direction of former prime minister Imran Khan after abolishing departmental cricket.

Sources in MCI said that NCA had the backing of former prime minster Imran Khan when it took over control of the four cricket grounds from MCI.

The NCA had also set up House of Northern, a headquarters of the association in Diamond Cricket Ground, from where it was operating entire northern region.

However, a team of MCI backed by magistrates concerned on Wednesday took the control back of the said four grounds.

Officials of MCI said that the NCA violated agreement as it did not share a single penny of revenue it generated during the last one year.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, who is also the administrator of MCI, confirmed to Dawn that MCI has taken the possession of its grounds back from NCA. When asked about next course of action, he said that it is yet to be decided if these grounds will be operated by MCI or they will be auctioned.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) NCA Najeeb Sadiq told Dawn that the association would avail all available legal remedies, adding that association was given these grounds for five years.

“It was an agreement among four parties – MCI, CDA, NCA and PCB. So, how can MCI cancel it without hearing us. We are looking into all these aspects,” he said and added that majority of matches of national U-19 tournament starting from June 28, are slated to be held in these grounds whereas camp of national women team is also scheduled to be held in G-9 ground from July 1 to 10 ahead of Commonwealth Games. “We did a lot of repair and maintenance work, we have video evidences of before and after possession. Construction work of Hybrid wickets and pitches was in final state,” he said. Asked about not sharing profit revenue, he said: “Last year before signing agreements with NCA, MCI and CDA had taken possession of eight sports grounds from cricket clubs and individuals.

The CDA and MCI officials that time had said that all grounds and parks of the city belonged to the civic agencies and no one has the right to operate these facilities.

The said grounds were constructed and developed by CDA on its own land for citizens of Islamabad and later on after local government elections of 2015, the CDA handed over grounds to MCI.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2022
 
Speedy work ordered on K-P sports projects
A detailed briefing was also given on sports activities and other projects in different districts of the province

PESHAWAR:
Expedited work on the sports projects have been ordered across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

The decision was taken at a meeting of the department of sports and youth affairs held under the chairmanship of Minister for Food, Science and Information Technology, Sports and Youth Affairs Muhammad Atif Khan on Friday.

The officials briefed the minister on various new and approved ADP and AIP schemes and their PC-1. funds allocated for the schemes were also mentioned during the briefing.

Various projects for the promotion of sports in the province including ongoing work on Arbab Niaz and Hayatabad Cricket Stadium, Kalam Cricket Stadium, up-gradation of Qayyum Sports Complex Peshawar, indoor Gymnasium District Buner, District Government land for Tank Sports Complex and construction work on it, tehsil level playground on need basis, establishment of international standard indoor gymnasium in Abbottabad, construction of Sports Complex in Rustam Tehsil, establishment of Squash Courts, Swat Sports Complex were discussed.

A detailed briefing was also given on sports activities and other projects in different districts of the province.

Express Tribune
 
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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday restrained the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) from outsourcing six cricket grounds in the federal capital.

MCI had issued an advertisement to outsource management, operation and maintenance of six cricket grounds of G-8/2 (old Diamond Cricket Ground), Bhutto Cricket Ground G-7/1, Margalla Cricket Ground G-9, National Cricket Ground F-7, Marghzar Cricket Ground Saidpur Village and Shalimar Cricket Ground main Margalla Road F-6.

IHC Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan issued the restraining order hearing the petition of ex-chairman of a union council Sardar Mehtab.

Adil Aziz Qazi, counsel for the petitioner, argued before the court that the government was renting out six cricket grounds which would render them financially unfeasible for young players to use these facilities.

He said the administrator of MCI had issued a notification to outsource these grounds on Sept 8.

He argued that the administrator could not outsource the playgrounds since this was the domain of the elected mayor, it should be deferred till the local government elections, which were likely to be held in about a month.

He pointed out that an administrator, who has been appointed for a very short period, cannot outsource cricket grounds for two years.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2022
 
Late Sunday morning, and there is not a scrap of spare ground to be found at Polo Ground in downtown Karachi. Every last patch of its 20 acres of path and grass is taken up with games of tape-ball cricket. There must be 30, 40, 50 overlapping matches — enough, anyway, that it is impossible to count the hundreds of players who are scattered all around, the fielders mixing with each so that, if the man at mid-wicket in one game turned on the spot, he could play cover in another, or fine leg for a third. Outside India, and the Oval Maidan in Mumbai, there is not a sight in cricket quite like it.

The place is officially known as the Gulshan-e-Jinnah but no one will be able to give you directions if you call it that. Polo Ground, on the other hand, everyone knows. Everyone in Karachi cricket has played here over the years. Back in the late 1940s and early 1950s it was where Hanif Mohammad and his four brothers learned the game. They had only just moved to the city after partition. “One could see hundreds of people, mostly youngsters, playing cricket there every day,” Hanif wrote in his autobiography. “Whoever came first would choose his own spot and pitch his stumps for practice or for a match. Even the maulvis would join in.”

His younger brother Mushtaq told Peter Oborne how “when we were still small, my youngest cousin Iqbal and my older cousin Nisar and I would set out every Sunday with just two annas each in our pockets, and we headed to Polo Ground in the centre of the city where many teams used to be playing matches with intermingled field placings”. He has still not forgiven his older brothers for making him the 12th man. Soon enough Mushtaq and his brother both graduated to the old Gymkhana ground over next door’s wall, where Pakistan played some of their earliest games against MCC and other teams.

In the 1960s the government used Polo Ground for military parades and after that it had a reputation as a spot where young lovers would come to meet each other. That stopped, the story goes, when a TV crew came and made a show in which the presenter went around asking the couples whether they had told their parents they were visiting the park together. The cricketers, though, have always been here. For years players have come from all over the country to play in this park in Karachi as they try to find their way in the game. These days they dream of making it much further than the Gymkhana, to the National Stadium, further out of town.

There is still a man on the gate collecting rupees from the lads who want to park their motorbikes inside, and a vendor wandering around between the games inside, carrying high piles of pomegranate seeds on platters hanging from a yoke over his shoulders.

Even he does not try to pick his way through the middle of the park. Play does not stop for strollers, and besides there are no free paths left. The pavements make the best wickets. The latecomers have to play in the grass out by the fences, where, if they are unlucky, the ball will slip through the railings and run into the road outside.

The littlest kids, five and six, are there too, out on the mud boundary that runs around the park. Inside that it is all more serious. There is still a lot of laughter but it is the bragging kind. Almost everyone who bowls here wants to be fast, and plenty really are, and almost everyone who bats wants to hit sixes, and most do. So the balls fly all over, till they plug in the long grass, where they are fetched by the unsighted fielders running around behind trees and bushes and pavilions trying to follow the bowler’s cries of “catch”. Some even have to fetch the ball from out of the muddy pond in the middle.

Some players wear shalwar kameez, some are in jeans and tees, but plenty are in lurid cricket kit, bright strips and brilliant slashes, some of them from Pakistan Super League, one even in an England top, but many of the rest are from local teams, the Rising Stars, the Young Fighters.

They use teetering piles of bricks as wickets, or sets of soldered metal stumps, and keep bags of replacement balls ready. The ground is littered with chewed-up scraps of red tape, offcuts from where it has been wound around the tennis balls to improve the swing and bounce. It seems there is always one guy who has the knack of doing it, and the players will toss him old ones to repair with the stuff he keeps in his bag.

The sorry part of it all is that it is so close to England’s team hotel, hardly five minutes walk along the way, but the players themselves get to see it only through the tinted windows of their coach as they pass by on the way to training. There is palpable frustration among some of them, especially the ones who have been here before to play in the PSL, that the security cordon is so tight that they cannot even walk to the park. They may not get to see it but they can be sure everyone playing here will be watching them on Tuesday and, likely as not, somewhere among them will be the bowler they will be facing when they come back here in a few years.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...-still-a-breeding-ground-for-pakistan-cricket
 
Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad after rains

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/nnhowp" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
 
World’s highest natural cricket stadium inaugurated in northern Pakistan

World’s highest-altitude natural cricket stadium built in Pakistan’s scenic region of Gilgit-Baltistan was inaugurated on Saturday.

The Pissan Cricket Stadium is located in Nagary Valley at an elevation of 8,500 feet above sea level, which provides a highly favourable weather for cricket in peak summer.

Local political leadership inaugurated the stadium for which a three-kilometer-long road has also been constructed.

Teams from Diamer and Nagar played the first match at the stadium where provincial minister Fatehullah Khan was present as the chief guest.

Diamer team won the T20 match by 90 runs as they restricted Nagar team to 71 in chase of 161 runs target.

The decision for construction of cricket stadium was taken last year after breathtaking pictures of the Pissan ground went viral on social media in February 2021.

economy.pk
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cricket under shadow of the majestic Rakaposhi at Pissan Cricket Stadium, Nagar GB &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; <a href="https://t.co/n1IpM8Esvw">pic.twitter.com/n1IpM8Esvw</a></p>— Office of the Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan (@csgbpk) <a href="https://twitter.com/csgbpk/status/1578765035606003712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
So both stadiums in Peshawar will be ready by the end of the century?
 
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday linked the outsourcing of cricket grounds of the federal capital with the nod of local government (LG) representatives, saying that the fate of these grounds would be decided by the elected officials.

IHC Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan was hearing a petition filed against the outsourcing of six cricket grounds by the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI).

The corporation had issued an advertisement to outsource management, operation, and maintenance of six cricket grounds – G-8/2 (old Diamond Cricket Ground), Bhutto Cricket Ground G-7/1, Margalla Cricket Ground G-9, National Cricket Ground F-7, Marghazar Cricket Ground Saidpur Village and Shalimar Cricket Ground, main Margalla Road, F-6.

Following the release of the advertisement, expressions of interest (EOI) were invited from the companies/firms registered with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as per the deputy commissioner.


Islamabad local bodies polls to be held on Dec 24

Adil Aziz Qazi, counsel for the petitioner, argued before the court that the Islamabad administration was renting out the cricket grounds which would render them financially unfeasible for young players.

He said the administrator of MCI had issued a notification to outsource these grounds on Sept 8.

He argued that the administrator could not outsource the playgrounds since this was the domain of the elected mayor and asked the court to defer the process till the local government elections, likely to be held in about a month. He further said that an administrator, who had been appointed for a very short period, could not outsource cricket grounds for two years.

During the hearing, Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said the process of outsourcing the grounds had been stopped following the announcement of the local bodies elections, adding that the government notified the schedule for upcoming LG elections which would be held in Islamabad on Dec 24.

Justice Khan ruled that after the election, the elected members of the local government would decide the fate of the cricket grounds and disposed of the petition accordingly.
 
PCB gave a silly excuse of not getting chair shipment from abroad or something on time for Pindi stadium, not sure if that is true. If it is true then seriously what incompetent jokers. Getting plastic chairs built locally wouldn't have been a big deal.

Such terrible state of stadiums continues in Pakistan. Or get rid of concrete slabs and just turn it into park style atleast it ll look half decent, but then they won't be able to maintain that grass I bet. They can barely keep it green on the actual ground.
 
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hopeful for the return of international cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, however, foreign cricketers have been instructed not to travel to the province by their respective countries.

While talking to the media in Peshawar, PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain said they want to organise matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in KP but due to some reason, they can't.

"PCB is trying to restore international cricket in the province, we were planning to organise a big event that could not happen due to some reasons," Faisal said.

"Foreign players are not allowed to travel to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan by their countries. They are asked to stay cautious," he added.

In a ceremony, Hayatabad Cricket Stadium was handed to PCB, which will pave the way for talent in the province.

"Most of the players in the Pakistan team are from KP, which shows the presence of immense talent here. PCB's academy will also continue to run in the premises of Arbab Niaz Stadium, we will work together with the Directorate of Sports of KP to promote cricket," he added.

"With the construction of Hayatabad Stadium and Arbab Niaz Stadium, other international matches, including PSL can be easily held in Peshawar, PCB supervision work will be completed in both stadiums," he concluded.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...cted-to-be-careful-while-traveling-to-kp-balo
 
Embarrassing to see Pakistan not have a single multi-tier stadium. PCB should have invested in stadium infrastructure in the early 2000s like India did.

Indian stadiums were no better than Pakistani stadiums in the 80’s & 90’s but they upgraded them.

Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan & Faisalabad. 5 venues are enough for Pakistan & these 5 stadiums need to be state-of-the-art.

They need a complete makeover with upgraded facilities & fan experience.

In a decade or so, if things improve, PCB can also add Peshawar as a 6th venue.
 
Mamoon said:
Embarrassing to see Pakistan not have a single multi-tier stadium. PCB should have invested in stadium infrastructure in the early 2000s like India did.

Indian stadiums were no better than Pakistani stadiums in the 80’s & 90’s but they upgraded them.

Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan & Faisalabad. 5 venues are enough for Pakistan & these 5 stadiums need to be state-of-the-art.

They need a complete makeover with upgraded facilities & fan experience.

In a decade or so, if things improve, PCB can also add Peshawar as a 6th venue.
Click to expand...

I'm not an expert on the financial situation but it seems like the money isnt there.

They cant even afford to replace rusty roofs on stadiums nor install chairs.

Asking for international cricket to come back is one thing but the quality of the pitches, stadia and therefore on screen experience (watching from home) has been somewhat sub par.

I dont think comparing us with india is even a conversation at this stage, their second tier stadiums are better than our first tier.

A comparison with Afghanistan would be more apt.
 
BoomBoomAli said:
I'm not an expert on the financial situation but it seems like the money isnt there.

They cant even afford to replace rusty roofs on stadiums nor install chairs.

Asking for international cricket to come back is one thing but the quality of the pitches, stadia and therefore on screen experience (watching from home) has been somewhat sub par.

I dont think comparing us with india is even a conversation at this stage, their second tier stadiums are better than our first tier.

A comparison with Afghanistan would be more apt.
Click to expand...

Plus India has a decade of more home games and IPL ahead from us.

Hopefully we benefit the same from home games and PSL and put money back into our cricket infrastructure
 
MenInG said:
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hopeful for the return of international cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, however, foreign cricketers have been instructed not to travel to the province by their respective countries.

While talking to the media in Peshawar, PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain said they want to organise matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in KP but due to some reason, they can't.

"PCB is trying to restore international cricket in the province, we were planning to organise a big event that could not happen due to some reasons," Faisal said.

"Foreign players are not allowed to travel to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan by their countries. They are asked to stay cautious," he added.

In a ceremony, Hayatabad Cricket Stadium was handed to PCB, which will pave the way for talent in the province.

"Most of the players in the Pakistan team are from KP, which shows the presence of immense talent here. PCB's academy will also continue to run in the premises of Arbab Niaz Stadium, we will work together with the Directorate of Sports of KP to promote cricket," he added.

"With the construction of Hayatabad Stadium and Arbab Niaz Stadium, other international matches, including PSL can be easily held in Peshawar, PCB supervision work will be completed in both stadiums," he concluded.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...cted-to-be-careful-while-traveling-to-kp-balo
Click to expand...


No international teams will tour here and they shouldn't.

Why are they wasting money building a stadium here when they should be investing in upgrading Karachi and Lahore.

Why are they playing in Multan? So random and a very under developed town.

Priority should be to build a 60k stadium in Islamabad so they don't have to play in Pindi again. Its not international grade.
 
Couldn't help but notice a white sheet being used as a sight screen and being operated by two people between overs.


PCB really get their act together, Pakistan have been hosting international cricket for a few years now. No excuse to be this behind in upgrading their infrastructure.
 
Aman said:
Couldn't help but notice a white sheet being used as a sight screen and being operated by two people between overs.


PCB really get their act together, Pakistan have been hosting international cricket for a few years now. No excuse to be this behind in upgrading their infrastructure.
Click to expand...

It is shambolic arrangements and finances going I don't know where. PCB should build a new stadium in Islamabad. Pakistani stadiums look like they are from the 80s at best. I know Pakistani economy is not doing well but PCB is financially stable.

Yet again, we seen many stakeholders rob the country and fly abroad. It just seems that no one cares. The public do not know any better either.

Refurbished old grounds are still so tacky, PCB just paints the seats and a few walls and thinks that its a good job. Very low standards all around unfortunately.
 
People criticizing the PCB for not working on the stadiums need to realize that it is not a cheap expenditure, you are talking about atleast Rs 2 billion minimum per stadium and it also requires importing many items and right now Pakistan is trying to impose tough import controls given the current account deficit
 
Multan Cricket Stadium as a whole looking much better than Rawalpindi. Rawalpindi stadium needs to be demolished and rebuilt. Or just build a new one in Islamabad and use the current one for what it is rightly meant to be used for - hosting weddings.
 
Focus on macroeconomics, build a culture of work (instead of waiting for siblings to send money from abroad), getting an education, end cousin marriages and then everyone will witness a truly improved Pakistan.
 
According to Zalmi sources, this has put a dent in their efforts to revive cricket in Peshawar. The statements have sent a negative impact about the city.

The Arbab Niaz Stadium is currently under construction intending to host high-profile cricket matches shortly while Hayatabad Cricket Stadium is also under construction. It was handed to PCB last week.

Almost 2 billion each have been spent on building these state-of-the-art stadiums.
 
MenInG said:
According to Zalmi sources, this has put a dent in their efforts to revive cricket in Peshawar. The statements have sent a negative impact about the city.

The Arbab Niaz Stadium is currently under construction intending to host high-profile cricket matches shortly while Hayatabad Cricket Stadium is also under construction. It was handed to PCB last week.

Almost 2 billion each have been spent on building these state-of-the-art stadiums.
Click to expand...

Need to hold a few domestic games there before holding international games. Small baby steps
 
Pakistan’s most celebrated woman cricketer, Sana Mir, most successful Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, leading Test batter, Younis Khan, and an all-format star, Shahid Afridi, are amongst 10 former international cricketers who will be honoured by having the Bugti Stadium enclosures in their names, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today.

timthumb.php


The other six cricketers are: Kiran Baluch, Mohammad Yousuf, Saeed Ajmal, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Khan and Shoaib Malik.

The enclosures were named after these cricketers in recognition of their contributions and services to Pakistan cricket, which also aligns with the PCB’s plans and drive to improve, uplift and enhance spectator and playing facilities at the Bugti Stadium in preparation of the venue being made to host future high-profile matches.

Chair of the PCB Management Committee, Najam Sethi: “The contributions of these 10 cricketers are meritorious and it is important that we recognise their achievements and accomplishments by naming Bugti Stadium stands in their names. This will be PCB’s small token of appreciation to these players, which will also help in creating awareness about Pakistan stars and game development in the Balochistan province. These 10 cricketers are household names and, admired and followed by all generations of cricket lovers.

“The inclusion of Kiran Baluch and Sana Mir reflects the PCB’s vision and endeavours for women’s empowerment and attracting young girls to take up this great game and represent their country at the international stage. I am sure we will get to see more girls taking up this sport in Balochistan and the PCB will leave no stone unturned to develop the women’s game in this region.”

Sana Mir: “I am honoured that a stand will be named after me in the Bugti Stadium. May this gesture from the PCB and the example of Nahida Khan, who has been one of the shining stars from Quetta, inspire more young women to become cricketers. We need more girls playing the game of cricket and demonstrate that we believe in equal opportunities for women and men.”

Shahid Afridi: “I am thankful to the PCB for bestowing me with this honour. I always felt privileged, motivated and determined to play my best cricket at venues that had the names of some of the biggest stars in our sport. I sincerely hope the next generation of Quetta cricketers will find the same motivation when playing at the Bugti Stadium that, in turn, will enhance their appetite to break into the national framework.”

PCB’s five other international venues, including the Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore), Iqbal Stadium (Faisalabad), Multan Cricket Stadium (Multan), National Bank Cricket Arena (Karachi) and Pindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi) already have enclosure named after former international cricketers.

About the 10 international cricketers:

• Kiran Baluch – Kiran played three Tests and 40 ODIs from 1997 to 2004. She scored 242 against the West Indies women at the National Stadium in March 2004, which is still a world record

• Misbah-ul-Haq – Misbah captained Pakistan in most Tests (56) and won 26, more than any other Pakistan Test captain, 87 ODIs and eight T20Is. He led Pakistan to the number-one spot in the ICC Test Championship in 2016 and was a member of the squad that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009

• Mohammad Yousuf – Yousuf is a world-record holder for most Test runs in a calendar year (1,788 runs in 11 Tests with nine centuries), which earned him the ICC Test Cricke…
 
Last edited:
If The outfield of the Bugti Stadium was green, then this stadium will look better than National stadium, and maybe also Pindi Stadium
 
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