PCB strikes historic naming rights deal for National Stadium

Karachi’s National Stadium will become the first venue in Pakistan to take on a naming rights partner under a deal agreed between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP).

The five-year Memorandum of Understanding will see the stadium, Pakistan’s largest with a seating capacity of 32,000, renamed as the National Bank Cricket Arena.

Besides the naming rights agreement, the PCB and NBP will also collaborate and partner on sponsorship initiatives to promote and develop grassroots cricket across the country, including supporting the PCB’s efforts to scout local talent in the rural areas of Pakistan.

First opened in 1955, the PCB operates the National Stadium through a long-term lease deal with the federal government. NBP is also government-owned.

PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja, said: “I want to welcome National Bank of Pakistan back in the PCB family after having supported Pakistan cricket in the past. NBP again partnering with the PCB is great news as this reflects that prestigious organisations are willing to be associated with the Pakistan cricket brand as they see a lot of value in it for themselves.

“Additionally, I am grateful to the National Bank of Pakistan for also extending support to the PCB Pathways Programme. I have always emphasised creating processes for the raw talent that can be professionally channelled into the national framework. In this background, this partnership with NBP is a significant movement in that direction.”

NBP president and CEO, Rehmat Ali Hasnie, added: “The National Stadium, Karachi is one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world and has hosted some of the legends of all eras since Test cricket was first played there.

“We are honoured to associate with such an incredible cricket venue. Our endeavour during the next five years will be to help the PCB further uplift the venue while simultaneously making contributions to Pakistan cricket across the country at the grassroots level.”