Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, admitted on Monday that none of the country’s cricket stadiums currently meet international standards. This statement comes as Pakistan gears up to host the Champions Trophy in February 2025.
The PCB is renovating stadiums in Lahore and Karachi to prepare for the event, which will take place at three venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. This will be Pakistan’s first ICC event since the 1996 ODI World Cup.
Fans have long complained about the poor conditions of Pakistan’s stadiums, especially the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, which lacks basic facilities and offers a subpar viewing experience.
After visiting Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium, Naqvi noted the significant gap between Pakistan’s stadiums and those abroad. “Unfortunately, none of our stadiums meet international standards,” he said. “They lack proper seating, bathrooms, and the viewing experience is poor.”
Due to ongoing renovations, the PCB announced last week that the second Test against Bangladesh would be held in Karachi without spectators. However, the match has since been moved to Rawalpindi.
Naqvi dismissed concerns about coordination issues within the PCB, explaining that matches were initially planned without spectators, but security concerns and ongoing construction made it unfeasible.
He expressed confidence that renovations would be completed before the ICC’s inspection for the Champions Trophy: “We’ll have it ready in time, just like the stadium in New York was completed shortly before the T20 World Cup 2024.”
The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi, with the second Test following on August 30.