No progress yet on National Bank Stadium renovation after PSL X

KARACHI: The second phase of renovation work at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, which was scheduled to begin after the conclusion of the HBL Pakistan Super League Season 10 (PSL X), has not started yet.

Meanwhile, the local administration in Hyderabad has begun renovation and development work at the long-neglected Niaz Stadium.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had announced that the second phase of development at NSK would begin after PSL 10, but over a month has passed since the tournament ended, and no schedule has been finalized.

When this correspondent contacted the PCB head office in Lahore to inquire about the exact schedule for the second phase at NSK, officials said that the final date and plan had not yet been determined.

Sources did not specify the reason for the delay, but cricket circles believe it may be due to the monsoon rains in Karachi. The PCB has assured the Hyderabad administration of its full support and cooperation in restoring and upgrading Niaz Stadium.

According to PCB plans, the second phase of development at NSK aims to upgrade the stadium to international standards and improve the experience for Karachi’s cricket fans. Many spectators, especially families, women, children, and elderly people, have complained about the challenges they face when attending matches at NSK, which was the reason for the low turnout during PSL 2025 matches.

The planned upgrades include a complete redesign of seating areas with a focus on comfort, better spacing, and improved visibility. Meanwhile, renovation work is underway at Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad. The stadium last hosted an ODI in 2008 -- between Pakistan and Zimbabwe -- and has struggled to even host first-class matches since then.