The PCB has shifted its ODI tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa to Lahore and Karachi as it prepares the two venues to host the Champions Trophy from February 19.
The four-match tri-series, scheduled to start on February 8, was initially scheduled to be played in Multan. But the PCB has decided to shift it to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi, a move the board said “reflects the PCB’s confidence in the readiness of these upgraded venues”.
The board said in a statement: “Given the advanced stage of preparations at the Gaddafi Stadium and the National Bank Stadium, the PCB has decided to shift the upcoming tri-nation ODI series to these two venues. The series featuring New Zealand and South Africa along with Pakistan was originally scheduled to be held in Multan.”
Both stadiums have undergone significant upgrades and renovations this season. This has caused some disruption to the calendar, with neither the Gaddafi Stadium nor the National Stadium hosting any of the seven Tests this season. Karachi was scheduled to host a Test against England, but it was moved to Multan. Multan will also host two Tests against the West Indies this month.
But the work was widely acknowledged to be necessary as Pakistan hosts its first ICC event in almost 30 years. The most significant renovation has taken place at Gaddafi Stadium, where capacity has been increased to 35,000, two new digital replay screens have been installed and a brand new player and hospitality enclosure has been built. Similar upgrades have been carried out at Karachi’s National Stadium, while the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – which has hosted international and domestic matches this season – has undergone several minor improvements.
The PCB said the Gaddafi Stadium will be set for an inauguration in the last week of January. The board “assured fans, spectators and media that all upgrade work was proceeding as planned and will be completed on or around the set deadlines”.
Ten, and possibly 11, of the tournament’s 15 matches will be played across Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. The remaining matches, all involving India and a semi-final, will be played in Dubai, as well as the final should India reach it. It is part of the hybrid model agreed upon by the PCB, BCCI and ICC after the Indian government did not give permission for India to travel to Pakistan.
