Featured image credit: Pakistan Cricket Board
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed more details surrounding its ongoing renovation of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, with the capacity of the venue set to increase to over 34,000.
Gaddafi Stadium’s new pavilion will feature “five-star” facilities for players, officials, commercial partners and dignitaries, according to the PCB.
The stadium is being upgraded to meet International Cricket Council (ICC) standards ahead of hosting the Champions Trophy in February and March next year. It will mark the first time Pakistan has hosted an ICC event since 1996.
In August, the PCB appointed BDP Pattern to improve infrastructure at Gaddafi Stadium, as well as National Bank Stadium in Karachi and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Gaddafi Stadium will be fitted with additional tiers in at least two enclosures.
The PCB has now shed more light on the work currently taking place at Gaddafi Stadium. Fans are set to be brought closer to the action as enclosures move 20 feet forward, while other improvements will include new seats and replay screens.
The stadium’s floodlight towers, screens and seats will also be repurposed for other venues.
Qazi Jawwad Ahmad, director of infrastructure at the PCB, said: “Around-the-clock efforts on redesign and renovations have PCB confident of meeting the 31 December deadline.
“Under the leadership of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Gaddafi Stadium is being elevated into a world-class venue, enhancing the fan experience and setting new standards for cricket in Pakistan. Spectator capacity at Gaddafi Stadium will increase from 21,500 to over 34,000 as part of PCB’s redesign plans.”
Last month, Bank of Punjab acquired naming rights to Gaddafi Stadium as part of a five-year agreement with the PCB. The deal will reportedly be worth Rs1bn (£2.8m/€3.3m/$3.6m).
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