"None of our stadiums are of international standard" - PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi makes blunt remark on Pakistan's venues
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has been candid about his assessment of the standard of the stadiums in their country. The boss of the apex body of cricket in Pakistan declared that not one stadium in the country matches international standards.
The PCB has the massive project of hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy, tentatively scheduled to begin on February 19. With Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi designated as the venues in their draft schedule, the board is ramping up the preparations of the stadiums in the cities.
Speaking to the media during his visit to oversee Lahore's Gadaffi Stadium's upgradation work, Naqvi stated, as quoted by Geo News:
"There's a huge difference in international stadiums and those of ours... none of our stadiums are of international standard. The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) team is working day and night. [We] will make our stadiums one of the best in the world... providing basic facilities in stadiums is [our] first priority."
Last week, the PCB boss approved the stadium's designs while visiting the BDP Pattern's, the prominent architectural company based in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released $70 million for the multi-nation event and it will be utilized for all the expenses incurred between February 12-18.
PCB shifts first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi
A day earlier, the board decided to shift the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi due to the ongoing renovation work in the former. The official press release from the PCB stated:
"We have been guided by the construction experts on the timelines for the readiness of the [National Stadium in Karachi]. They advised that while construction could continue during playing hours, the resulting noise pollution would disturb the cricketers. Additionally, the dust from the construction work could also affect the health and well-being of the players, officials, broadcasters, and media."
The Men in Green also have home Test matches scheduled against England and West Indies after the series against Bangladesh.