National Stadium renovations
\nDecision made due to ongoing upgradation work at National Stadium in light of Champions Trophy 2025
\n ISLAMABAD
\nThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shifted the second Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi due to ongoing renovations and upgradation work at the National Stadium.
\n\u201cGiven that construction must continue uninterrupted to ensure the venue is operationally ready for the Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB, after consulting all stakeholders and reviewing operational and logistical matters, has decided to hold both Tests in Rawalpindi\u201d, the board said in a statement on Sunday.
\nThe development comes days after the board announced its decision to prohibit spectators in the second Test which was set to take place from August 30 to September 3 in Karachi.
\nFurthermore, the ticket sales for the match were also suspended with PCB saying that the fans who had already purchased tickets would receive a full refund, which would be automatically processed and credited back to their accounts.
\nIt is to be noted that the board, while allocating Rs12.80 billion, has undertaken major upgradation of Karachi\u2019s National Stadium, Lahore\u2019s Gaddafi Stadium and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium which are set to host Champions Trophy 2025.
\nEarlier this week, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi approved the venues\u2019 designs during his visit to BDP Pattern\u2019s London head office, a renowned architectural company based in the United Kingdom.
\nThe design of Karachi\u2019s stadium, which has come to the fore, indicates that the stadium will be renovated in two phases and hints that a fresh building will be built right in front of the main structure. Reports suggest that the new infrastructure will host VIP boxes, a gallery, media boxes and boxes for families of those playing.
\nThe two dressing rooms can also be shifted to the new building.
\nMoreover, the stadium will have a roof all across the structure. The roof will be installed during the second phase of the construction.
\nSo far, the scoreboard building has been revamped at the National Stadium including the enclosures of Iqbal Qasim and Naseem-ul-Ghani.
\nElaborating on the decision to shift the match to Rawalpindi, the PCB said: \u201cWe have been guided by the construction experts on the timelines for the readiness of the venue. 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.\u201d
\nWith the match now shifted to Rawalpindi, which will also host the first clash between the Green Shirts and the visitors from August 21 to 25, the fans will now be able to spectate the two-match series.
\nFurthermore, the board has clarified that the series between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh A will continue as usual in Islamabad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
National Stadium renovations Decision made due to ongoing upgradation work at National Stadium in light of Champions Trophy 2025 ISLAMABAD The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shifted the second Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi due to ongoing renovations and upgradation work at the National Stadium. \u201cGiven that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":125691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-425751","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n