LAHORE: Newly-elec­ted Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has given only three days to NESPAK to present the upgradation plan for the Gaddafi Stadium during a meeting here on Friday.

Lahore’s Gaddafi Stad­ium is one of three venues, alongside the National Stadium in Karachi and the Pindi Cricket Stadium, which will undergo upgradation ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Pakistan next year.

“PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi presided over an important meeting at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, regarding the upgradation of three major venues in the country,” said a PCB news release. “The meeting was attended by Nati­onal Engi­neering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), Director Infra­st­ructure PCB Nasir Ham­eed and others.”

It added that Naqvi emphasised the need for the upgradation of the three venues before the Champions Trophy.

“… the concerned authorities have been asked to submit a comprehensive plan for the upgradation of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore within three days, followed by the plans for the other two venues,” stated the news release.

It concluded saying that Naqvi has asked for fans to be facilitated at “all cost and their ease must be kept in mind while devising the upgrade plan. The seating capacity of Qaddafi stadium should be increased and this upgradation process must be swift without compromising on the quality.”

Reports suggest that not only will be the capacity be increased but the condition of the hospitality boxes would also be improved.

There are also plans to build a plush hotel near the Gaddafi, where foreign players and international sides can stay and in turn help the PCB avoid the financial expense of providing security to the teams when they travel to and from the stadium.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2024