HYDERABAD: Cricket lovers in Sindh are feeling really excited about the eight fixtures of Pakistan Super League that are set to be hosted in Karachi from Saturday onwards. These eight matches will see international cricket stars such as Shane Watson, Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo and many others in action. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah’s commitment to host all matches in a befitting manner is appreciable, too.

However, it is lamentable that Niaz Stadium, the only international cricket center in Sindh apart from Karachi, continues to be ignored and sadly remains out of Sindh government’s radar.

Since last year’s final of PSL, the CM has been quite passionate about holding of cricket matches in Karachi and to make sure all matches are held in a smooth manner. He had told media in 2018 that his government would hold PSL matches in Niaz Stadium in 2019 besides Karachi. His resolve came at a time when Niaz Stadium’s administrative control has been returned to municipal committee Qasimabad after it revoked memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in April 2018.

The elected local council of Qasimabad had taken this step while blaming PCB for doing nothing to upgrade Niaz Stadium despite holding its control for a decade. And it was not altogether wrong in its assertion. PCB managed outfield in last one decade properly. National level events like one day cup and four day matches were regularly held at stadium during this period.

However, in the last domestic season the ground was deprived of this opportunity for which only the board could explain why it was done.

PCB didn’t invest in Niaz Stadium primarily for inadequate flow of finances in the absence of international cricket on home soil. While the board executed new projects elsewhere it conveniently overlooked this stadium and that is why PCB got the flak from Qasimabad council. On the council’s part, it revoked MoU at a time when PSL just about became a regular feature as the PCB’s flagship event.

One assumption among cricket circles is that had the MoU not been revoked, PCB might have considered holding matches in Niaz Stadium with active support of provincial government in addition to Karachi as Hyderabad is the only international centre across Sindh after NSK.

Having control of an international cricket centre might be easy but maintaining and organising international events like PSL is a different ballgame. It is a question of expertise which council obviously lacks. As income generating step it has started recovering a fee of Rs 5,000 for allowing a cricket match at the stadium.

“Ever since 2018 when Qasimabad municipal committee revoked their agreement and seized control of ground after a domestic circuit match it didn’t lay even a single brick that may be taken as a sign of development in stadium”, said District Cricket Association president Shakeel Qureshi somewhat tartly.

Since last PSL final in Karachi, Qasimabad council or Sindh government did not do anything of note for ground’s up-gradation either.

At a time when three Hyderabad’s cricketers are featuring in this edition of PSL, story of Niaz Stadium’s up-gradation has once again become more relevant. It was Ibtisam Shaikh who appeared for Peshawar Zalmi last year under emerging talent category of the franchise. The inclusion of three players in PSL who are playing along international stars like Shane Watson, Darren Sammy, Pollard, DJ Bravo and others, shows how much cricketing talent and enthusiasm Hyderabad has.

And it shows they could excel with proper cricket facilities. This year teen-aged Mohammad Hasnain Qureshi and Nauman Ali played for Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans besides Ibtisam. Hasnain is PSL’s pace sensation, clocking 147mph to 150mph. He got wickets as well and Waqar Younis was forthcoming to give him some useful bowling tips. Every foreign commentator in PSL has spoken highly of him and the pace he generates at this young age.

A team had visited Niaz Stadium sometime back under CM’s directive and there were reports and it had also submitted their findings to government. According to Hyderabad divisional commissioner Mohammad Abbas Baloch had also drawn CM’s attention to the state of Niaz Stadium where massive works are needed. “I have learnt a summary for allocation of funds to be made in upcoming fiscal year has been approved by CM. But I feel Qasimabad municipal committee can’t manage ground as it lacks potential and expertise while PCB needs to come forward with sincerity of purpose”, he remarked.

Kashif Shoro, chairman Qasimabad municipality, seemed to have also realised that PCB could run the ground in a better manner. “We were compelled to take this step [revoking of MoU] after PCB avoid investing in stadium despite its commitment during the last one decade. But if PCB again agrees to run the stadium and upgrade it we can reconsider our decision and we can approach Sindh government to talk to PCB on this issue,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2019