logo
NA committee seeks details on cricket stadium renovations

NA committee seeks details on cricket stadium renovations

Express Tribune02-05-2025

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.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PCB confirms one change in selection committee
PCB confirms one change in selection committee

Business Recorder

time10 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

PCB confirms one change in selection committee

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday confirmed one change in the national selection committee. The PCB spokesman said in an official statement that the board has only replaced the data analyst, who will have no voting right during team selection. Asia Cup in limbo after Pakistan, India clashes The PCB spokesman said that Hassan Cheema has been replaced by Usman Hashmi as the data analyst to assist the selection committee. The current members of the selection committee are as follows: Aqib Javed (Member) Aleem Dar (Member) Asad Shafiq (Member) Azhar Ali (Member) The spokesman said the selection committee is bound to discuss with Head Coach and Captain of respected formats before finalizing the team.

PCB grants NOCs to top Pakistani players for participation in leagues
PCB grants NOCs to top Pakistani players for participation in leagues

Express Tribune

time18 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

PCB grants NOCs to top Pakistani players for participation in leagues

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to a select group of players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, enabling them to participate in various high-profile international leagues this summer. This move comes as part of the board's broader strategy to give players valuable exposure while balancing their workload. According to the PCB's announcement, centrally contracted players are permitted to participate in only two foreign leagues per calendar year. The issuance of NOCs is therefore contingent on this rule, which the PCB uses to maintain a balance between players' international commitments and their opportunities to play in lucrative franchise competitions. Breakdown of Players and Leagues Several Pakistani cricketers are set to feature in some of the most renowned international leagues this summer. Among those granted NOCs are: Big Bash League: Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan County Cricket : Mohammad Amir, Shan Masood, Kashif Ali, Abbas Afridi, Khawaja Khurram, Hasan Ali Global Super League : Khawaja Nafay, Muhammad Nawaz Caribbean Premier League: Muhammad Nawaz, Hassan Khan Although Babar Azam's name has not yet appeared in the first phase of registrations for the Big Bash League (BBL) draft, the inclusion of his name in the PCB's NOC list suggests that he will be available for selection. The BBL 15 Draft, scheduled for June 19, 2025, will see several Pakistani players included in the pool, marking the first time players from Pakistan will be eligible for an entire BBL season. The NOCs, issued as a result of the PCB's strategic planning, aim to keep the players match-ready during off-seasons and offer them the chance to hone their skills in different playing conditions. This exposure is expected to help them return to national duty in top form, ready for key tournaments like the ICC T20 World Cup. The PCB's approach also aligns with the shifting dynamics of the global cricket calendar, which increasingly features overlapping franchise leagues. By allowing its top players to participate, the PCB ensures that they remain engaged with the game while preparing for future international commitments. Furthermore, with the rise of franchise cricket, the PCB's decision also reflects an understanding of the financial and career opportunities available to players through these leagues. The board's policy ensures that these opportunities are balanced with the players' national commitments, preventing burnout and allowing them to stay fresh and motivated. As the summer's international leagues approach, the PCB's strategic moves will help its players stay at the top of their game while contributing to the ongoing growth of Pakistani cricket on the global stage.

Alcaraz battles back to win French Open
Alcaraz battles back to win French Open

Express Tribune

time2 days 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.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store