PCB allocates Rs12,800mn for upgradation of stadiums ahead of Champions Trophy

The Board of Governors (BoG) of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) approved a budget of Rs12.8 billion for the refurbishment of cricket stadiums in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted in Pakistan.

During its 72nd meeting at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Board Room in Gaddafi Stadium, chaired by Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi, significant decisions were made to promote domestic and women’s cricket in Pakistan. The board allocated funds to enhance the annual budget for women’s cricket from Rs70 million to Rs240 million, along with increasing central contracts for women cricketers.

Additionally, Rs450 million was earmarked for the development of domestic cricket infrastructure across the country, including maintenance and salaries for staff at 100 cricket grounds. The meeting also focused on preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, stressing the completion of upgrades at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, National Bank Cricket Stadium Karachi, and Pindi Stadium Rawalpindi to meet international standards.

Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that the stadium upgrades will ensure superior facilities for cricket enthusiasts and directed efforts towards establishing new venues for domestic tournaments. He briefed the BoG on various initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic and women’s cricket in Pakistan, with discussions on proposals for further improvements in domestic cricket.

Chief Operating Officer (CEO) PCB and Secretary BoG Salman Naseer, along with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) PCB Javed Murtaza, provided detailed insights into the budgetary highlights during the meeting. BoG members including Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhter Zaman, Sajjad Ali Khokhar, Zafarullah, Tanvir Ahmed, Tariq Sarwar, Dr. Anwar Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Meraj Mehmood, Usama Azhar, and PCB’s Director of Domestic Cricket Abdullah Khurram Niazi were also in attendance.