The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has selected the international architecture firm Building Design Partnership Limited (BDP) to overhaul three of the country’s (Pakistan) major cricket stadiums.
‘Architects’ Journal’ stated that BDP Pattern, the practice’s sports and entertainment division, will rework stadiums in Pakistan’s two largest Cities – Karachi and Lahore – and a third in historic Rawalpindi, the former Pakistani capital, to “enhance fan experiences” for the international cricket matches.
Lahore (Pakistan)-based the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), formerly known as the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan, is a sports governing body for cricket in Pakistan responsible for controlling and organizing all the tours and the matches undertaken by the Pakistan national cricket team.
Manchester (UK)-based the Building Design Partnership Limited (BDP) is a major international, interdisciplinary practice of architects, designers, engineers, and urbanists. The design firm works closely with the users, clients and the community to create special places for living, working, shopping, culture, and learning across the world.
‘Architects’ Journal’ further stated that the project will improve the infrastructure and facilities in the 34,238-capacity National Bank Stadium in Karachi, the 27,000-capacity Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the 15,000-capacity Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, ready for the 2024-2025 cricket season and beyond, according to BDP.
Parts of the redevelopment work will include creating additional tiers in at least two enclosures at the Gaddafi Stadium, upgrading the hospitality boxes at the Gaddafi and the National Bank stadiums, adding players’ dressing rooms at the National Bank Stadium, and designing new roofs for the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium enclosures.
The Chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, said the overhauls were needed to improve the spectator-friendliness of the three stadiums and to stop cricket fans being put off by their poor conditions.
Noted Naqvi, “Our fans and the spectators are the lifeblood of cricket. They consistently show unwavering support for our national teams and the international cricket events. Regrettably, the current condition of our stadiums falls short of providing them with an enjoyable experience, often deterring them from attending the live matches. Neglecting the comfort of our fans and the commercial partners is no longer an option. It is imperative that we attract not only our local supporters, particularly the younger generation, but also the international spectators.”
Recently, Naqvi lamented about the state of Pakistan’s international cricket venues, saying, “None of them could qualify as an international stadium.”
The cricket chief said it was the PCB’s responsibility to revamp them in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy next year.
The 2025 International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy will be the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, a cricket tournament that will be contested by the top eight ranked One Day International (ODI – a form of 50 overs limited overs cricket played between two teams with international status in which each team faces a fixed number of overs, currently 50, with the game lasting up to seven hours) men’s national teams. It will be organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It is going to be hosted by Pakistan from February 19th-March 9th, 2025. Pakistan is the defending champions having won the previous edition in 2017.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa. It was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965 and adopted its current name in 1987. The ICC has its headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
BDP Pattern Principal Dipesh Patel said it was an honor to work with the PCB on the ‘legendary’ cricket grounds, adding, “We will ensure that the upgrades improve the fan experience and advance cricket for the next generation.”
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