Despite rising concerns about the venue’s readiness for the upcoming Champions Trophy. It begins on February 19. The Pakistan Cricket Board assures that the National Stadium here will be ready to host matches. The other forthcoming significant international matches at these locations. There is a four-game tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa on February 8-14. With the first two games in Lahore and the final two in Karachi.
Bilal Chohan, the guy in charge of the rehabilitation work. Reportedly complained about not receiving the necessary equipment and clearances on time to complete the work in Karachi. The panels to be installed on the new building were to be released from the Karachi Port on Sunday night. With installation slated for the following morning. The PCB has spent approximately PKR 12 billion on renovations.
It is used for building and equipment installation at all three locations in Lahore and Karachi. Tickets have already gone on sale. But until the PCB acknowledges that they have control of the new-look stadiums, worries will persist. On Tuesday, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice resigned, with a board member of the international organisation citing his failure to provide a clear picture of Pakistan’s preparedness as one of the reasons for his departure.
PCB Dismisses Critics
Although PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi examined the Rawalpindi stadium on Tuesday and confirmed that the Champions Trophy would go ahead as scheduled, it appears unlikely that the Board will take control of the refurbished facilities in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi by the January 31 deadline. The other forthcoming significant international matches at these stadiums are a four-game tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa.
The matches will take place from February 8 to 14, with the first two games in Lahore and the final two in Karachi. On Wednesday, Pakistan’s acknowledged main English daily ‘Dawn’ published a report stating that “it seems impossible to contemplate the renovation work being completed within the deadline, but the personnel handed the responsibility are beaming with confidence.”
