National Stadium Karachi Archives

Ali Zafar set to perform at National Stadium’s grand inauguration ceremony

KARACHI: Renowned national singers Shafqat Amanat Ali, Ali Zafar and Sahir Ali Bagga are set to light up the stage at the ‘grand’ opening ceremony of the newly-renovated National Bank Stadium here, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday.

According to Mohsin, the ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 11 to celebrate the timely renovation of the above-mentioned venue ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.

During the grand opening ceremony, cricket fans can enjoy live singing, stunning fireworks and a unique light show.

“Get ready for another unforgettable night,” Mohsin wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

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“The grand inauguration of Karachi Stadium is happening on 11th February with spectacular musical performances by Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat and Ali Sahir Ali Bagga,” said Chairman PCB.

“Plus, a breathtaking fireworks & light show to light up the sky,” said Mohsin.

It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.

READ: Pakistan team reaches Karachi for tri-nation series clash against South Africa

National Stadium renamed as National Bank Cricket Arena

LAHORE: One of the country’s most iconic stadiums – National Stadium Karachi – will now be known as the National Bank Cricket Arena.

The development came under the light of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP).

The five-year MoU signing resulted in NBP acquiring the stadium’s naming rights.

“Besides the naming rights agreement, the PCB and NBP will also collaborate and partner on sponsoring initiatives to promote and develop grassroots cricket across the country, including supporting the PCB initiatives of scouting local talent in the rural areas of Pakistan,” the PCB said in a press release.

Amid the MoU signing ceremony, the chairman of PCB Ramiz Raja extended his gratitude to the NBP for joining hands with the cricket board.

“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 a 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,” said Raja.

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

NBP President and CEO Rehmat Ali Hasnie, on the other hand, seconded Ramiz’s remarks and expressed delight for partnering with the PCB.

“We are delighted to partner with the Pakistan Cricket Board. 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,” said Hasnie.

“We are honoured to associate with such an incredible cricket venue, our endeavour during the next five years would be to help the PCB further uplift the venue while making contributions to Pakistan cricket across the country at the grass root level simultaneously,” he concluded.

READ: T20 World Cup: Ireland upset England in rain-hit clash

‘One of the best atmospheres in world cricket’ Hales lauds Karachi crowd

KARACHI: England returning opener Alex Hales expressed his admiration for the cricket fans of the city who came out in number and packed the National Stadium to witness the first T20I between England and Pakistan on the latter’s home soil.

Hales shone with a brilliant half-century on his return to England side after three years and guided his team to a comprehensive six-wicket win in the opening encounter of the historic T20I series.

Speaking at a post-match press conference, Hales stated that it was a very special feeling for him to play in front of the full house at Karachi’s National Stadium, terming it ‘one of the best atmospheres in world cricket.’

“I have played in front of full houses at Karachi but this is very different,” said Hales, who featured in the Pakistan Super League as one of the key overseas players and represented Karachi Kings and Islamabad United, respectively.

“You couldn’t believe the noise and the atmosphere. Karachi put up a show tonight,” he expressed.

Talking about his prior experience of playing in Pakistan, the England opener said he had spent a lot of time here over the last few years and had some fantastic memories on and off the field.

“It’s a place which means a lot to me,” he said. “So to be a part of the England tour, the first one in such a long time is an incredibly special feeling.”

Furthermore, Hales called his phenomenal comeback – a dream return – saying that it felt like a debut to play for England after three years.

“It’s a very special feeling to get back out on the park for England – three years felt like forever but to get a fifty on my return in a winning team is the stuff dreams are made of,” said Hales.

“There are always nerves and pressure after having not played for England for three years, it felt like a debut again, so a very special night,” he maintained.

It is apropos to mention here that England are currently on their first tour of Pakistan after 17 years. The touring side took a 1-0 lead in the seven-match T20I series with the second match to be played on September 22 at National Stadium Karachi.

READ: Green, Wade guide Australia to four wicket win over India in first T20

Australian expert visits National Stadium for pitches inspection

KARACHI: Australian pitches expert Damien Hough inspected the National Stadium outfield and square today during his three-day visit to Karachi and interacted with the curator and ground staff.

According to the detail, Damien Hough reached Karachi and visited the National Stadium to examine the ground’s pitches and the outfield.

During his three-day stay in Karachi, Hough will deliver lectures to the pitch curators, ground staff and local coaches on cutting-edge pitch preparation techniques before his departure on Sunday afternoon.

The PCB-appointed pitches expert had earlier visited Gaddafi Stadium Lahore and Rawalpindi Stadium as part of his tour of Pakistan.

It is worth mentioning here that Hough is currently on a two-week trip to Pakistan to inspect local pitches and outfields besides giving consultancy to local curators on pitch-making techniques.

READ: PSB reappoints Sajjad Khokhar as PHF President in a fresh ad-hoc setup

‘Karachi, Rawalpindi stadiums to get new chairs’ PCB Chairman

LAHORE: The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja announced the installation of the new state-of-the-art chairs in the Karachi and Rawalpindi Stadium.

PCB Chairman Ramiz took to Twitter to share the report of a massive surge in the partnership rights for bilateral home series 2022-23, and also announced to development of infrastructure for the cricket fans.

“A 77% surge in partnership rights for bilateral Home Series for 22-23 season is great news for Pak Ckt. Our reserves are at an historic high!” Ramiz wrote on his Twitter.

“We will use part of those funds to develop infrastructure for fans. As a first, Khi and Pindi stadiums will have state of the art chairs,” he added.

A 77% surge in partnership rights for bilateral Home Series for 22-23 season is great news for Pak Ckt. Our reserves are at an historic high! We will use part of those funds to develop infrastructure for fans. As a first, Khi and Pindi stadiums will have state of the art chairs.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) May 14, 2022

It is pertinent to mention here that reducing the problems of the fans is a part of the PCB Chairman Ramiz’s vision. The PCB head also shared his plan to build fans’ engagement centres at a couple of venues in the country in December 2021.

READ: Lahore beat Peshawar by two wickets in a thriller in Blind T20 Trophy

All main pitches of National Stadium Karachi to be rebuilt

KARACHI: Following the dismal playing conditions offered during the historic Test series against Australia, the curators and ground staff have started to rebuild all 13 main pitches of the National Stadium, here on Friday.

As Australia’s historic Test series against Pakistan after a gap of 24 years is about to conclude today. The curators and ground staff have been assigned to rebuild all 13 pitches of the square of the field.

The staff is also replacing the old soil of the square with the fresh Nandipur soil.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have recently delayed the idea of the drop-in pitches and decided to improve the quality by importing Australian soil and hiring a foreign pitch consultant, who will be available for his consultancy in March/April this year.

READ: PCB postpone the plan of drop-in pitches installation

National Stadium lights up ahead of the PSL 7

KARACHI: With the seventh season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is just around the corner, the preparations for the marquee event raced up at National Stadium, here on Monday.

For the mega event, the National Stadium has been decorated with colourful lights. The main building of the stadium, as well as the trees, are lit up beautifully.

In addition, preparations for the PSL 7’s opening ceremony are well underway. Paragliders, on the other hand, made a unique entrance into the stadium.

As per reports, the opening ceremony will also feature a unique paragliding show.

The seventh edition of the PSL will kick off on January 27 as defending champions Multan Sultans will be taking on Karachi Kings in the opening match.

READ: James Faulkner out of quarantine, set to join Quetta Gladiators