NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday relocated the venues of the upcoming tri-series involving Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa to Lahore and Karachi ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
The tri-series was originally scheduled to take place in Multan but with the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Bank Stadium in Karachi in advanced stage of renovation, the board decided to move the matches to the two venues.
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The tri-series starts from February 8 with all three teams playing a match each with one another before the final on February 14.
The PCB on Wednesday reassured fans and media that the upgrades at Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium are progressing as planned and the remaining work is expected to be finished on or before the deadlines.
At Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the seating capacity has been expanded to 35,000 and the stadium is scheduled to be inaugurated in the last week of January.
“Additionally, 480 state-of-the-art LED lights have been installed to enhance broadcast LUX levels, ensuring superior viewing quality for fans worldwide. To further elevate the spectator experience, two giant digital replay screens - measuring 80 feet x 30 feet and 22 feet x 35 feet - will be installed next week. A brand-new players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure has also been created, which will be operational by January 25,” the PCB said in a release.
The National Bank Stadium in Karachi has also seen significant improvements. A new hospitality enclosure has been added at the University End.
“To improve broadcast coverage, 350 LED lights have been installed, ensuring optimal visibility for global audiences. Two digital replay screens have already been fixed, and 5,000 new chairs have been installed to enhance spectator comfort,” the release stated.
Minor touch-ups are also being made at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as well which include installing 10,000 new chairs, upgrading hospitality boxes, and adding two digital replay screens.
The PCB's curators, under the guidance of Tony Hemming, have been carefully maintaining the playing surfaces at all three stadiums, ensuring the grounds remain in top condition throughout the renovation period.
The relocation of the tri-series comes as an an opportunity for PCB to showcase the improved facilities at the two venues.
