Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s Board of Governors (BoG) approved a substantial budget of Rs12.80 billion at a meeting held at the National Cricket Academy. Chaired by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, the meeting included all nine BoG members and several PCB officials.
Significantly, the budget allocates funds for upgrading Gaddafi Stadium, National Stadium, and Pindi Cricket Stadium. There was also a noteworthy 110% increase in funding for domestic cricket.
Notably absent from the post-meeting media release were any discussions on recent poor performances by the national men’s and women’s teams in various competitions.
The budget includes increased central contracts for the national women’s team and domestic players. While the men’s team contracts remain unchanged due to their previous three-year lock, players’ contract levels will fluctuate based on performance evaluations.
A key approval was the acquisition of a 5.8-kanal plot near Gaddafi Stadium for constructing a hotel to accommodate both international and domestic teams during their activities.
Earlier plans to acquire an under-construction building near the National Cricket Academy have been scrapped in favor of this new plot. Construction has already commenced on the main entrance of Gaddafi Stadium, with plans to enhance seating capacity and rebuild key enclosures.
The PCB aims to complete Gaddafi Stadium’s upgrades ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March next year, which will span venues in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
Last year’s budget for domestic cricket, approximately Rs1.80 billion, has been significantly increased to Rs4.50 billion. The PCB will oversee operations at 12 venues and provide financial support for maintenance at about 100 grounds nationwide.
Funding for women’s cricket has also seen a substantial rise from Rs70 million to Rs240 million.
BoG members were briefed on PCB’s preparations for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy, with assurances from Mohsin Naqvi about timely completion of stadium upgrades. He emphasized enhancing spectator facilities to attract large crowds to the prestigious eight-nation event.
During the meeting, PCB secretary Salman Naseer, chief operating officer Javed Murtaza, and chief financial officer briefed BoG members on various aspects of the budget.
Attendees included Zahid Akhtar Zaman (Chief Secretary Punjab), Sajjad Ali Khokhar, Zafarullah, Tanvir Ahmad, Tariq Sarwar, Dr. Anwar Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Ismail Qureshi, Miraj Mahmood, Usama Azhar, and Director of Domestic Cricket Abdullah Khurram Niazi.
