New Delhi: Pakistan shifted venue of an ODI tri-series that they would host but insisted it wasn’t done due to a delay in renovation work before the Champions Trophy that begins on February 19.
The 50-over tri-series also involving South Africa and New Zealand was supposed to be a curtain-raiser to the ICC event that is scheduled to begin in Karachi.
But with only a month to go, the Pakistan Cricket Board has shifted matches of the tri-series from Multan to Karachi and Lahore, raising concerns over the pace of renovation work.
The PCB insisted preparations for the Champions Trophy are going on as per schedule, with the renovation work at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Karachi’s National Bank Stadium would be over before or around deadlines.
PCB confident
“Given the advanced stage of preparations at the Gaddafi Stadium and the National Bank Stadium, the PCB has decided to relocate the upcoming tri-nation ODI series to these two venues.
“The series, featuring New Zealand and South Africa alongside Pakistan, was originally scheduled to be held in Multan,” the PCB said in a statement.
“This decision reflects the PCB’s confidence in the readiness of these upgraded venues and their ability to deliver a world-class experience for players, officials, and fans alike.”
The Gaddafi stadium’s seating capacity would increase to 35,000 after the upgrade that includes installation of new bucket seats, installation of 480 LED lights for enhanced viewing quality, construction of players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure.
Once the renovation is complete, the stadium would be inaugurated in the last week of January.
At the National Bank Stadium, new hospitality enclosures, 350 LED lights, two digital replay screens have been fixed and 5,000 chairs have installed.
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium would get 10,000 new chairs, sprucing up of hospitality boxes and installation of two digital replay screens, the PCB has informed.
Pakistan Cricket Board has shifted matches of a tri-series also involving South Africa and New Zealand from Multan to Karachi and Lahore, raising concerns over the pace of renovation work. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
