PCB not to build cricket stadium in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: It is useless to build a cricket stadium of international standard in the Federal Capital as no global cricket is being played in the country, said a reliable source in the Pakistan Cricket Board on Sunday.

Talking to the APP, the source said, “It is total wastage of money as international teams are not touring Pakistan. At this stage I think it is not a good idea to spend a lot of money on this project”.

The source further said that it would be better if the PCB renovated the existing stadiums rather than making a new one”. The PCB owns three stadiums in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore.

“Does the PCB have the funds to build this stadium or will it take foreign loans?” the source questioned.

The source further asked the Board that whether it would hire a foreign company for the construction of the stadium or engage a local firm.

He said that the construction of stadium was a huge investment and it would have been useful if international cricket was being played in the country. The PCB should first convince international teams to visit Pakistan and then think of building stadiums, he added.

He further said that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had allotted 40 acre land to the PCB near Shakarparian on 33-year lease for the construction of stadium in 2008. As per the agreement, the PCB was to bear the total cost of project while 25 percent of the sale proceeds of tickets for matches were to be given to the CDA.

The project was to be completed in five years but the PCB could not execute it within the timeframe which led to cancellation of the plot.

“The previous board chairman Nasim Ashraf even had got concept design and other plans of the stadium approved by the CDA and also started process of inviting tenders, but the process was halted when Ejaz Butt took over as PCB boss,” he said.

The source added that the PCB officials had considered the design of a cricket stadium built in Dubai’s sports city for the current project.