National Stadium renovation for ICC Champions Trophy nears completion

KARACHI: Renovation work at the National Stadium Karachi has entered its final stages as preparations intensify for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for February.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Thursday that two enclosures at the stadium will be renamed to honor legends Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan. The comprehensive upgrade includes the construction of a new Far End building. The players’ area within this building has already been completed, while finishing touches, such as cleaning and partitioning, are underway on the upper floors.

On Thursday, the PCB organized a media visit to showcase the progress. Arshad Khan, General Manager of the National Stadium, provided details on the upgrades. He stated that two VIP enclosures with a combined seating capacity of 1,050 are being constructed on the ground floor of the Far End building. These enclosures will be named after former players Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas. Meanwhile, the existing Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas enclosures will be renamed after Younis Khan and Nazar Mohammad, respectively. Additionally, the Quaid Enclosure will now bear the name of Shahid Afridi. “The new stadium layout aligns the Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad enclosures with the Far End building as VIP enclosures are traditionally positioned near the players’ area.

The enclosures adjacent to the older building will now be named after Iqbal Qasim and Naseem-ul-Ghani,” Arshad Khan explained. Upgrades to the stadium’s lighting system are also progressing rapidly. Frames have been installed on three of the light towers, and work on the remaining towers is expected to be completed within two days, after which the lights will be mounted.

Bilal Chauhan, Project Director, shared updates on the construction of the main building. “The stands on the ground floor and the top-floor partitions are nearing completion. By January 28, the stands will be ready for the installation of seats,” Chauhan stated.

He added that the players’ dressing rooms on the first floor are completed, with cleaning currently underway. Chauhan expressed confidence that all renovation work would be finalized by January 31, ensuring the stadium’s readiness to host the Champions Trophy and a tri-nation series. Once completed, the revamped National Stadium will stand as a state-of-the-art venue, promising an enhanced experience for players and fans alike.