PCB Advisory Council decides to modernize stadiums in the country

The Advisory Council of the Pakistan Cricket Board at a meeting held at the PCB Headquarters Gaddafi Stadium Lahore under the chairmanship of Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia have reviewed a number of important matters pertaining to cricket infrastructure, acquisition of modern ground equipment and sponsorship deals in view of the hectic season ahead.

The Council was briefed about the status quo of the sponsorship deals made including the installation of screens and digital score boards at Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi and other arrangements for improving the seating arrangement and facilities. The screens and modern digital score boards, first ever in Pakistan, the Council was told, would be installed and in operation before the commencement of England team's tour in October. Similarly about 24 thousand new seats would be added at three main stadiums namely Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, which have been sponsored by a multi national. The new floodlights too would be in place at Karachi and Lahore by end of October. Other improvements include acquisition of modern ground equipment for all the cricket centres and uplift of environments around the cricket grounds, which are to be completed before the start of the season.

The Council was also given an update on the cricket matters and steps being taken to modify the pattern of domestic cricket to bring it in conformity with the changed conditions.

The Council was told that a recent inspection of cricket facilities at Dubai have found the conditions there to be satisfactory and based on this report, the Council approved the participation in the proposed one day matches against Sri Lanka in Dubai.

The council also approved a request by the International Organization for Peace and Welfare to hold a charity Mela for "Happy World Festival" at the ground adjacent to National coaching centre near National Stadium Karachi. The meeting was attended by Director PCB Mr. Yawar Saeed and members of Advisory Council Javed Miandad, Wasim Azhar, Nasimul Ghani and Ramiz Raja.