KARACHI: Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair on Monday paid a visit to the National Stadium Karachi and reviewed the pace of development work at the stadium to make it to the level of International standard for playing Pakistan Super League (PSL) final.

Giving a detailed briefing on the occasion, the NLC authorities told the Governor that development was in its last phase and would be completed within a few days. They said that the stadium was being decorated according to the international standards where best facilities would be provided, particularly for the seating arrangements.

Separate arrangements will be made for food and refreshment and the ground and the pitch are also being prepared.

Brig Shoaib Ahmad, former Test cricketers Salahuddin Sallu and Iqbal Qasim along with manager NSK Arshad Khan were also present on the occasion. The Governor expressed his satisfaction on the ongoing pace of work at the stadium and said by providing international standard facilities for the match, the city would earn a good name at the global level, the Sindh province and, of course, Pakistan.

Later on talking to media Governor Zubair said that by organizing a high profile match like the PSL final after a gap of nine years in the city has surely infused a new spirit among the people of Karachi who are very excited about the game.

He reiterated that all the players, national or international, would be provided full security and in this connection the International Cricket Council has been given full assurance at the start of PSL-III in Dubai.

The Governor further said that Karachi’s National Stadium is a historic ground whose decoration and renovation will hopefully encourage the authorities to hold more matches here and will draw more and more fans to visit the NSK.

In reply to a question, the Governor said that holding of Pakistan Super League final match was part of restoration of Karachi programme which recently saw an international media conference held here while and on March 29, an international film festival would be organized and very soon world squash event would also be staged in the city.

He emhpasise that all stake holders are geari ng up for excellent coordination and cooperation for the PSL final including Pakistan Cricket Board, National Logistic Cell, Karachi Cricket Association and all the Law Enforcement and civic agencies which augurs well for the future.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2018