 has announced plans to revamp the National Bank Stadium, Karachi for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.){kind=link}
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced plans to revamp the National Bank Stadium, Karachi in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Set to take place from February 19 to March 9 next year, the tournament will feature Pakistan as both the host and defending champion.
Stadium Upgrades Unveiled
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was elected unopposed, revealed earlier this year that stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi would undergo significant upgrades. The work has already started, and the National Bank Stadium is set to see some major improvements.
Naqvi expressed his dissatisfaction with the viewer experience during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 final in Karachi. This has prompted the PCB to bring the stadium up to international standards.
What’s Changing?
The organization in charge of the upgrade project has begun preliminary work, including detailed maps and land measurements. These plans are set to be approved at a PCB Governing Board meeting chaired by Naqvi on Saturday, July 6.
Once approved, construction will officially kick-off. The main building will be repaired rather than demolished, with key upgrades including:
- Relocating the Media Center: The media centre will be moved to the opposite side of the stadium.
- New Digital Scoreboard: A state-of-the-art digital scoreboard will be installed.
- Hospitality Boxes: The 30 hospitality boxes in the east and west stands will be significantly improved.
- Dressing Rooms: The dressing rooms will be renovated to meet modern standards.
Interestingly, there are no plans to demolish the existing enclosures or increase the stadium’s seating capacity, which currently holds 32,000 spectators.
For the unversed, the Champions Trophy 2025 will feature 15 matches across three venues:
- Lahore: Hosting seven matches, including the final.
- Karachi: Hosting the opening match, a semi-final, and a total of three matches.
- Rawalpindi: Hosting five matches, including a semi-final.
A notable highlight is that India will play all its matches in Lahore.
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