Lack of facilities at Arbab stadium forces PCB to cancel exhibition match

ISLAMABAD: The uncertainty surrounding the Arbab Niaz Stadium Peshawar structure has forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to cancel the proposed HBL PSL exhibition match ahead of the start of the 10th edition.

Well-placed sources confirmed to The News that the strength of the newly raised enclosure at the Stadium has yet to be tested.

“The PCB has written letters to the KP Sports Board to ensure the timely completion of the restructuring process well in time. In yet another reminder the Provincial Government was asked to ensure that all relevant enclosures are equipped with the proper facilities. However, nothing was done in that respect in the recent past. Even a PCB team that recently visited the site for inspection ahead of the proposed April 8 match expressed its dissatisfaction with the facilities if there were any. No proper system of air conditioning and other related facilities at the pavilion and VIP and Media enclosure forced the authorities to rethink hosting these matches,” a source confirmed to The News.

The KPK provincial government later confirmed that the authorities have yet to test the strength of the upper-tier structure of the newly raised building, the PCB had no option but to cancel the exhibition match anytime after the PSL 10. “Unless and until the KPK Government or Sports Board ensures that upper tier enclosures are strong enough to hold a packed crowd, organising such an exhibition match would be nothing less than taking a big risk, so there is no other option available than to cancel the exhibition match for the time being,” a source confirmed to The News.

Meanwhile, the PCB in a handout said that the HBL PSL X exhibition match scheduled between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar on 8 April will be rescheduled.

“The PCB remains committed to hosting matches at the international stadium in Peshawar and will continue to provide all support to the provincial government to make the venue operational,” the PCB handout said.