PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Friday sought to allay considerations concerning the nation’s preparedness for the upcoming Champions Trophy, stating that the three venues in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi are able to host the ODI showpiece on the scheduled dates. The Champions Trophy is about to start on February 19, and there have been considerations about whether or not Pakistan can be prepared in time for the marquee occasion, which options the world’s high eight groups and can be held for the primary time since 2017. Whereas the event venues in Karachi and Rawalpindi are nonetheless partially underneath building or present process renovation, the photographs rising from these places haven’t painted a completely optimistic image.
Nonetheless, a assured Naqvi assured that Pakistan and its venues are ready to host the ICC occasion in a becoming method.
“They had been folks from throughout the border and even others who stored on saying it appears to be like just like the Champions Trophy can be moved out of Pakistan as stadiums aren’t going to be prepared on time. However I can announce at the moment we’re set to go for the tri-series and Champions Trophy,” he informed reporters on the new look Gaddafi stadium.
Naqvi defined that whereas Gaddafi Stadium can be prepared when it’s inaugurated on February 7 by the Prime Minister, some work on the Nationwide Stadium in Karachi and Rawalpindi Stadium would proceed after the event. Nonetheless, he assured that every one obligatory work to make sure a top-class viewing expertise for spectators and viewers can be accomplished by the point the Nationwide Stadium is inaugurated on February 11.
“Amenities for groups, officers, broadcasters, and media have all been upgraded and are full,” Naqvi mentioned.
“We can have the inauguration ceremony for the event on sixteenth in Lahore. The captains convention or the photoshoots won’t be attainable for the ICC or us due to the hectic travelling schedules of some groups.” Naqvi revealed that the finances allotted for the upgrades and renovations in any respect three stadiums had exceeded the initially deliberate 12 billion Pakistani rupees, however he was assured the price can be recovered.
“We now have requested the ICC to chorus from offering us with the same old tickets and passes given to the host nation. As an alternative, they’re paying us the corresponding quantity,” he mentioned.
Naqvi reiterated that every one the funds being spent on the stadiums had been from the cricket board’s personal sources and that no funds or grants had been taken from some other sources, together with the federal government.
“There was criticism because the work progressed on these venues however we took it in stride and there was additionally some good recommendation and suggestions that helped us rather a lot in attaining our goal,” he mentioned.
The PCB chief additionally talked about that that they had invited high officers from all cricket boards, together with India, to attend varied occasions all through the event, together with the inauguration ceremony, matches, semi-finals, and remaining.
“They may tell us about their plans however I believe we can be taking part in host to many board officers and even sports activities ministers from totally different international locations all through the occasion,” he mentioned.
Naqvi additionally addressed criticism concerning the standard of the chairs put in at Gaddafi Stadium, noting that they had been made in China and include a 20-year guarantee.
“And so they value us lower than these already put in and we had to make sure we did not go an excessive amount of over the finances.”
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