KARACHI, Jan 1: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sanctioned Rs200million for infrastructure development and upgradation.

From the funds, no less than 31 stadia would built and 20 would be upgraded in Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP.

No less than 14 stadia — 10 in Sindh (five in Karachi, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Shikarpur, Thatta) and four in Balochistan (Turbat, Naseerabad, Naukshi and Chaman) — would be ready for first-class use by May. The stadium at Abbottabad, which is planned to be used for Pakistan team’s training, will also be available by May.

In addition to this, the PCB has already began development work on a hostel for Karachi’s Regional Academy ground. The hostel will accommodate 36 cricketers and will have all the basic facilities.

The upgradation of each stadium will cost around Rs0.6million, depending upon the condition and improvement required. Whereas, a new stadium will cost around Rs2.8million, including equipment.

Of the Rs200million approval, Rs60million would be spent on Bugti Stadium in Quetta which will be able to host international matches by next year.

Interestingly, the Multan Cricket Stadium was constructed at Rs250million and became operational only after the PCB released a grant of Rs30million for completion of pending work.

The comparison between the Multan Stadium and Bugti Stadium confirms the wastage of valuable funds. Had proper homework, research and patience been shown, at least four stadia could have been raised in the cost incurred on Multan Stadium.

While the PCB has unleashed excellent development projects which will surely benefit the budding youngsters in years to come, the establishment has shelved plans to construct a club house in the vicinity of the National Stadium.

The project has been halted for several reasons, including instructions to prepare fresh blueprints of the complex. The individuals, who has applied for membership, have been returned their membership fee.