The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently busy preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy, which is to be held in February and March next year. In view of the Champions Trophy, cricket stadiums are being upgraded in Pakistan. The PCB also shifted the second Test against Bangladesh to Rawalpindi due to the renovation work going on at the Karachi National Stadium. Earlier it was decided to hold the match behind closed doors but then suddenly announced the shifting. In such a situation, questions are being raised on the decision of the PCB. People say that the board is not able to stick to its decision. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has now broken his silence. He said that the condition of Pakistan’s stadiums is very bad because even the necessary facilities are not available.
Naqvi said that there is a lot of difference between the stadiums of Pakistan and other countries of the world. He said that the shortcomings need to be removed to successfully host the Champions Trophy. Naqvi talked to the media on Monday. He was asked that 12 billion rupees are being spent on three stadiums. The capacity will increase by two or three thousand. It seems that you are showing haste regarding the stadium?
Naqvi replied, “There is a huge difference between our stadium and the rest of the world’s stadiums. The Karachi stadium was not an international stadium in any way. None of our stadiums could qualify as international. There were neither seats nor bathrooms. And the view was such that you are looking at it from 500 meters away. The world has become very advanced in today’s era. If we have to live in the 1980 model, then it is okay.”
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When the PCB chief was asked whether the Karachi stadium will be completely upgraded before the Champions Trophy or will only one building be built like other stadiums, Naqvi said, “Look, there is still five months left for the Champions Trophy. Right now the focus is on the enclosure and main building of both the sites. In Karachi, the main building may go up to three floors. We will try to find out if there will be a fourth floor or not. All the stadiums will be upgraded. We will build new stadiums in Islamabad and Abbottabad.” The two-match Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin on August 21.
