NA committee seeks details on cricket stadium renovations
The beautifully renovated Gaddafi Stadium will have the honour of hosting ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifiers next month. PHOTO: AFP
Listen to article
The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has requested a comprehensive expenditure report from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding the renovation and reconstruction of cricket stadiums across Pakistan.
According to Express News, the committee has also asked the PCB to provide a formal briefing on the ongoing 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). Naqvi is expected to present an overview of the PCB's performance over the past six months.
PCB upgraded stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi to improve facilities for spectators and align with international standards for CT 2025.
In a related development, the PCB is set to begin the second phase of renovations at Karachi's National Bank Stadium immediately after the conclusion of PSL Season 10.
The revamp includes re-profiling of spectator stands and major redevelopment to bring the stadium up to global benchmarks.
The renovation plan, prompted in part by low attendance during PSL 2025 matches, will focus on enhancing seating comfort, venue aesthetics, crowd movement, parking facilities, and accessibility.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Alcaraz battles back to win French Open
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses with the trophy next to the clock that shows the duration of the match, the longest for a final in Roland-Garros against Italy's Jannik Sinner, after winning the French Open. PHOTO: AFP Carlos Alcaraz battled from the brink of a first Grand Slam final loss to outlast Jannik Sinner in a French Open title clash for the ages on Sunday and keep his crown, cementing his status as the Prince of Clay in Roland Garros' post-Rafa Nadal era. In a scintillating showdown between the torch-bearers of a new generation, the 22-year-old saved three match points in the fourth set to win 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(10-2) and continue his dominance over Sinner with his fifth straight victory and end the Italian's 20-match winning run at the majors. Alcaraz showed his steely determination to win the epic in five hours and 29 minutes - the longest final at Roland Garros - and soaked up the roaring ovation from a thoroughly entertained Parisian crowd long used to 14-times champion Nadal's reign. "I'm just really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament," Alcaraz told Sinner after collecting the Musketeers' Cup. "I'm sure you're going to be champion not once, but many times. It's a privilege to share the court with you in every tournament, making history with you." Victory made him only the second man since tennis turned professional in 1968 to win all of his first five Grand Slam singles finals after Swiss great Roger Federer but Alcaraz was more enthralled with an achievement he shared with fellow Spaniard and 22-times major champion Nadal. "The coincidence of winning my fifth Grand Slam at the same age as Nadal, that's destiny ," Alcaraz told reporters. "It's a stat I'm going to keep forever It's a huge honour. Hopefully it's not going to stop like this." Alcaraz and Sinner, who have lifted seven out of the last eight Grand Slams to stamp their authority in the men's game, were locked in a fierce battle full of dramatic momentum shifts in the first major final between two men born in the 2000s. Sunday's five-hour-plus fiesta was the second-longest Grand Slam final in the Open Era and marked only the third time since 1968 that a player saved a match point en route to victory in a Grand Slam final. Playing his first Grand Slam after serving a three-month ban after a doping case, top seed Sinner held serve in a tense five-deuce opening game lasting 12 minutes. However, the 23-year-old was broken in the fifth game when he fired a forehand wide, before hitting back from 2-3 and going on to snatch an intense opening set following an unforced error by Alcaraz. On the ropes Relentless pressure from the baseline allowed Sinner to go a break up early in the second set and the top seed began to apply the squeeze on Alcaraz, who was on the ropes trailing 1-4 on a sunbathed Court Philippe Chatrier. An aggressive Alcaraz came out fighting and drew loud cheers when he drew level after 10 games and then forced a tiebreak but Sinner edged ahead with a blistering forehand winner and doubled his lead after the clock ticked past two hours. Alcaraz, who had never come back from two sets down before, battled hard in the hope of avoiding heartbreak in a major final and pulled a set back before saving three match points at 3-5 down in the fourth, later restoring parity following the tiebreak. Sinner was left to digest how he let slip a golden chance to win claycourt's blue riband event following hardcourt triumphs at the U.S. Open and Australian Open. Alcaraz fell to the red dirt before Sinner went over to his side of the court to congratulate him and the Spaniard then ran to the heaving stands to hug his team and celebrate. "CARLOS II, PRINCE OF CLAY," the French Open posted on X. Sinner had a contemplative look, sitting on his bench as his rival rejoiced, and was gracious in defeat when he congratulated him during the trophy ceremony.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Salman tipped to lead Pak in all formats
Salman Ali Agha has impressed the selection committee, coach Hesson and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi with his positive approach in captaincy and clarity of thought. PHOTO: REUTERS Pakistan's T20I captain Salman Ali Agha is reportedly poised to become the all-format skipper of the national cricket team after impressing selectors and the new white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, according to sources close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The 31-year-old was initially appointed as the T20I captain for the Zimbabwe leg of the tour to give regular captain Mohammad Rizwan some rest. However, Salman has since impressed the selection committee, coach Hesson, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi with his clarity of thought and leadership resolve during a short period in charge. "Salman has been impressive in the opinions of the selection committee, new head coach Hesson and, above all, the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi. All are on the same page that he should be the all-format captain," said the sources. An official announcement is expected after the Eid holidays. This development indicates that Rizwan, the current ODI captain, has fallen out of favor with the PCB and the selection committee, which is strongly influenced by Aaqib Javed. The sources added that the wicketkeeper batter's strained relationship with Aaqib, especially during the recent New Zealand tour where Pakistan lost the ODI series 3-0, has contributed to his declining standing. The right-handed batter publicly voiced concerns over his lack of authority in selection matters during the New Zealand tour, which drew criticism. The ODI series defeat followed Pakistan's disappointing exit in the first round of the 2025 Champions Trophy, hosted at home. Meanwhile, Test captain Shan Masood is also reportedly facing the axe after Pakistan's poor run under his leadership, losing nine out of 12 Tests since December 2023. His most damaging setback was a 2-0 home series loss to Bangladesh - Pakistan's first-ever defeat to the lower-ranked side. Additionally, Pakistan managed only a 1-1 draw against the West Indies last year. These results left Pakistan at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings in the current cycle, placing ninth out of nine teams, a significant drop from finishing fifth and seventh in the previous two WTC cycles. "Masood's captaincy was unimpressive and timid, so he was destined to lose captaincy. Moreover, Masood's own performance was poor so Salman will also take over from him," sources further added. For the unversed, Pakistan's upcoming schedule includes a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh on July 20, 22, and 24, followed by a three match ODI and T20I series against the West Indies in August. In Tests, Pakistan will host South Africa for a two-match series in October. For the WTC fourth cycle (2025-2027), Pakistan will host Sri Lanka and New Zealand and tour Bangladesh, the West Indies, and England. Aqib outlines plan as Director High Performance Director of High Performance at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Aqib Javed, laid out his strategic vision for the future of Pakistan cricket during the 63rd episode of the PCB Podcast, hosted by former Test pacer Wahab Riaz. While discussing the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, he stressed the importance of clearly defining its purpose. He said the NCA should play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing deficiencies in the national team across all formats. Speaking about the allocation of academies for various age groups and women cricketers, the former pacer outlined the PCB's latest development plan. "The Karachi High Performance Centre will now cater to women cricketers, providing facilities to support their diet, training, and skill development. "The Multan HPC will be dedicated to U19 players, with a group of 30 selected for specialised training. The Faisalabad centre will be used for U17 players, while Sialkot's HPC will focus on grooming 30 U15 players," he stated.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Mbappe fires France to Nations League bronze
France forward and captain Kylian Mbappe was the difference in Sunday's 2-0 win over Germany in Stuttgart. Photo: AFP Kylian Mbappe bagged a goal and an assist as France beat Germany 2-0 in the Nations League bronze-medal match in Stuttgart on Sunday. Mbappe wove his magic in a heavily changed France squad. Germany dominated the opening half but Mbappe provided the breakthrough just before half-time, carving a shot through a crowded penalty box to bring up his 50th goal in France colours. Late in the second, with the hosts desperately looking for an equaliser, Mbappe snatched a poor Germany pass on the half-way line and rampaged forward, before setting up Michael Olise. Mbappe had not scored in open play for France for more than a year. After the match, the France captain hit back at criticism levelled against him, telling DAZN "since I arrived in the international team, everyone always talks about me.... when they have an opportunity to talk bad, they talk bad. "They did it with all the great players in history in France and I'm the next. But I'm OK with that. I just try and do my job." France and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni praised his club and international teammate Mbappe, saying "everyone in the team loves him. "He's a very important player for us and when he plays like he did today, it's just amazing." For Germany, who lost two straight straight matches for the first time since 2023, questions remain over how much they have truly improved under Julian Nagelsmann. Striker Niclas Fuellkrug lamented his side's wastefulness, telling DAZN: "if we had taken our first chance and scored, it could have been three or four nil for us." In the lead-up to Sunday's encounter, France coach Didier Deschamps admitted the Nations League clash with old rivals Germany "isn't the most important game for us," with a clear focus on next year's World Cup. Deschamps made eight changes from the semi-final loss to Spain, with only captain Mbappe, goalie Mike Maignan and midfield veteran Adrien Rabiot keeping their starting spots. Nagelsmann also rotated heavily, making four changes including bringing Fuellkrug back into the starting XI. The Germans had a wealth of chances in the opening half. Karim Adeyemi won a penalty but it was overturned by VAR for diving. Florian Wirtz hit the post. Mbappe struck just before half-time. The Real Madrid man collected a pass which floated over Joshua Kimmich's head, took a touch and hammered a shot home with his preferred right foot.
