KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning a facelift of the Pindi stadium, among others, to make them suitable venues for international as well as Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, it has emerged.

According to the ICC website, PCB chairman Najam Sethi said the Board would spend around Rs1 billion (around $ 8.6 million) for the uplift of the Pindi Cricket Stadium over the next three years.

Last month, Sethi had indicated that half of all the 2019 PSL matches would be held in Pakistan, with the tournament travelling to additional venues in its fourth season. He named the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, Multan Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar as likely venues.

The added investment is an attempt to improve infrastructure as the PCB works to bring more cricket back to Pakistan. Sri Lanka and the West Indies have visited the country in recent months, while Zimbabwe came by for a limited-overs series in 2015. Huge crowds also greeted the ICC World XI in Lahore last year.

All these matches, however, have been limited to Lahore and Karachi.

“From next year onward our plan is to organise the PSL and international matches in Multan and Rawalpindi. That is the reason why we are planning to invest in these two stadiums,” said Sethi.

“Since [Pindi] would be used for international matches, efforts are on to give the stadium and surroundings a clean and attractive look,” he added after a meeting with local officials.

Rawalpindi last hosted an international match in December 2006, when the hosts took on the West Indies in a one-dayer. The last Test here was the one against India in 2004, when Rahul Dravid struck 270 in a win by an innings and 131 runs for the visitors.

Karachi’s National Stadium too is undergoing renovation. Having hosted a landmark three-match Twenty20 International series against the West Indies earlier this month and the PSL final in March, the venue is set to get added facilities.—Courtesy ICC

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2018