Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has admitted that none of the country’s stadiums currently meet international standards. It is to be noted that Pakistan is expected to host the ICC Champions Trophy early next year, their first ICC tournament since co-hosting 1996 ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.
“There is a huge difference in international stadiums and those of ours. None of our stadiums are of international standard,” said Naqvi while talking to media during inspection at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium.
“The Frontier Works Organization (FWO) will make sure that all the stadiums in Pakistan become world-class. We will provide basic facilities in stadiums. The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan,” he added.
The ICC had approved USD 70 million for Pakistan, which won the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy.
PCB has submitted a draft schedule to the ICC for the tournament and has marked Lahore as the venue for hosting all of India’s matches in the tournament including the semi-final and final.
PCB has earmarked three venues in Karachi’s National Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium to host the multi-nation tournament.
Apart from upgrading stadiums, PCB are also looking to develop a building into a hotel where the teams can stay.
There’s, however, no clarity on India travelling to Pakistan for the tournament. India had also opted out of travelling to Pakistan for regional Asia Cup tournament in 2023. India’s matches in the regional tournament were instead held in Sri Lanka.
