PCB begins installing floodlights at Pindi stadium

Lease issue placed on back burner

Islamabad, Aug 18: The lease issue of Rawalpindi cricket stadium has been put in the background for the time being as work on installation of floodlights and digital scoreboard was given green signal on Friday following suspension of one week.

While the negotiations over lease modalities between Rawalpindi Administration and Pakistan Cricket Board will continue, the installation work at the stadium will be completed by September 15 in preparation to host the England-Pakistan day and night game on Oct 29, sources told Dawn.

The decision of restarting the installation work was taken at the highest level and directives issued state that work will be carried out round the clock to meet the target.

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ad hoc Committee, Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia is expected to visit the stadium on Saturday to review the progress of work.

At the moment, out of the six holes dug for the light poles, two are ready with concrete while work on the rest was continuing. It was stated that PCB has adhered to the Rawalpindi Administration objection for repair of damage done to the newly carpeted road.

To a question over PCB's projected version that all the lease modalities have been finalised and the transition will be smooth, the commissioner said, everything was at the negotiating table, even though at one stage PCB also offered to purchase the stadium but the amount was too small.

Meanwhile, the development officer PCB, Col (R) Pervez will also visit the venue on Saturday to review what can be done to uplift the outfield. "I will see what can be done to get the outfield back in shape," he said. The PCB official maintained that the project manager of the electronic company has been told to complete the installation as soon as possible, so that the equipment is operational before the England-Pakistan day and night one-day on Oct 29.