The iconic National Bank Stadium is undergoing a major renovation in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19. With the renovations kicking off in October last year, the list of planned upgrades is extensive. These improvements include a new four-floor players’ and officials’ hospitality building at the University End, 350 new LED lights to improve broadcast coverage, two large digital screens on either side of the stadium, and the installation of 5,000 new chairs for better spectator comfort.
However, as of the end of January, only some of the upgrades have been completed. The new hospitality building is nearing completion, but the LED lights on the towering light poles are still waiting to be installed, and work on the digital screens is only just beginning. Despite this, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is confident that the stadium will be ready by the promised January 31 deadline.
Bilal Chauhan, the PCB’s director for the renovation project, expressed confidence that the stadium would be ready on time. Bilal, who has worked on similar projects with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, explained that when the project was first assigned, they thought it would be impossible to finish within such a short time frame. However, the backing and trust from the chairman inspired the team to keep pushing forward.
Currently, around 600 laborers are working on the renovation during the day, with many also working overnight. Bilal emphasized the commitment of the workers, saying none of them have gone home since the renovations began. The project manager, who works long hours himself, also pointed out that the team faces last-minute issues, such as delays in receiving materials. For example, panels for the new building were only shipped from Karachi on Sunday night, with installation planned for the next morning.
While significant civil work has been completed, much still remains to be done, and there are concerns about meeting the deadline. The PCB is determined to deliver a state-of-the-art stadium that will offer a world-class experience to players and fans. The ICC Champions Trophy will be preceded by a tri-nation series, involving Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand, on February 12, which will serve as a test run for the venue ahead of the main event.
