The PCB has moved its ODI tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa to Lahore and Karachi, as it prepares the two venues to host the Champions Trophy from February 19.
The four-match tri-series, which was to begin on February 8, was originally scheduled to be played in Multan. But the PCB has decided to move it to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi, a move the board said “reflects the PCB’s confidence in the preparation of these upgraded venues”.
The board said in a statement: “Given the advanced stage of preparations at the Gaddafi Stadium and the National Bank Stadium, the PCB has decided to move the upcoming tri-national ODI series to these two venues. The series, featuring New Zealand and the South Africa along with Pakistan, was originally scheduled to be held in Multan.”
Both stadiums have undergone significant improvement and renovation work this season. It has caused some disruption to the calendar, with neither the Gaddafi Stadium nor the National Stadium hosting any of this season’s seven Tests. Karachi was scheduled to host a Test against England but it was shifted to Multan. Multan will also host two Tests against the West Indies this month.
But it was widely recognized that the work was necessary, given that Pakistan will host its first ICC event in almost 30 years. The most significant renovation has been carried out at the Gaddafi Stadium, where capacity has been increased to 35,000 spectators, two new digital replay screens have been installed and a completely new venue for players and hospitality has been built. Similar upgrades have been carried out at the National Stadium in Karachi, while the Rawalpindi cricket Stadium, which has hosted domestic and international matches this season, has undergone minor upgrades.
The PCB said the opening of the Gaddafi Stadium will be scheduled for the last week of January. The board “assured fans, spectators and media that all improvement work is progressing as planned and will be completed on or around the established deadlines.”
Ten, and possibly 11, of the tournament’s 15 matches will be played in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. The remaining matches, all involving India and one semi-final, will be played in Dubai, as well as the final should India arrive. This is part of the hybrid model agreed upon by the PCB, BCCI and ICC, after the Indian government did not give permission to India to travel to Pakistan.
