Work is being sped up to get Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium ready for the visit of Bangladesh later this month, cricket officials say — Pakistan’s first home international in three years.

“The preparation work is fast and we are ready to host Bangladesh,” said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman Nadeem Sarwar. “We have had a physical inspection of the Stadium today and are gearing up for Bangladesh matches.”

Work has begun to clean the stands and replace broken seating, but with the security situation still volatile, measures to ensure player safety have taken precedence. PCB security manager Waseem Shahid said a complete plan for the arrangements will be submitted to the government for their approval.

The Gaddafi Stadium, named after the former Libyan leader in 1974 — has been the focus of the cricketing world on numerous occasions. - Photos by Agencies