File photo of the National Stadium in Karachi© AFP
The renovated stadiums in Karachi and Lahore would be handed over to the Pakistan Cricket Board on February 5, effectively two weeks before the start of the Champions Trophy. Both the upgraded venues would be tested during matches of the tri-series involving Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy starts on February 19. Concerns have been raised over whether the stadiums would be ready in time for the mega event. and whether the PCB would have sufficient time to test out all new facilities and structures in these stadiums.
Arshad Khan, the general manager of the National Stadium in Karachi, said work on the new building and other facilities would be completed by the end of January and PCB would take possession of the renovated stadium on February 5.
He said the progress at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was similar and the PCB would take control of the upgrade version on February 5. The PCB has spent around 12 billion Pakistani rupees on upgrading these two stadiums and the Rawalpindi stadium.
The NSK in Karachi has undergone major changes in the upgrade and renovation phase and a redesigned five-storey building is nearing completion, housing modern facilities such as ICC Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping Units, physio rooms and match officials' rooms on the ground floor and the new state-of-the-art changing rooms on the second floor.
Arshad said the corporate and hospitality boxes have also been increased by 24 and will house about 1,000 people in the main building, which will house the Chairman's Box and administration building on the fifth floor.
Better folding seats have been installed for spectators, the number of seats has been increased, new toilets have been added and a pedestrian bridge is being built for fans entering the stadium.
Spectators will also be able to watch the events on two new digital scoreboards being installed and modern LED floodlights placed on six poles for better viewing during day and night matches.
The outdoor nets are also equipped with spotlights. Similarly, a new building and similar facilities have also been added to the Gaddafi Stadium.
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