Arbab Niaz Stadium renovations to be completed by early next year

PESHAWAR: Peshawar’s Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium’s makeover is to be completed at the start of the next year at the cost of Rs1.3 billion, officials say.

Communication and Works Minister Akbar Ayub Khan told a media outlet that the up-gradation and improvement of the province’s sole international cricket ground were postulated to be completed by Jan 2020.

“We hope to arrange one of the Pakistan Super League matches at the renovated stadium, which is the home ground of the Peshawar Zalmi,” he said.

The minister informed that the renovations will enable the stadium to hold night matches as well.

C&W secretary Shahab Ali Khattak said that the stadium’s seating capacity will be increased to 35,000 from its original 19,000. The plans for a 24-room hotel of international standard with amenities related to the sport were also shared by the secretary.

He also informed about the construction of a pavilion of the International Cricket Council’s standard. A gym, a player lounge, and buffet and dining hall were also being constructed.

The secretary said the main stadium would get a ring of fire-lighting system resembling the one of Dubai International Stadium.

The stadium will get an electronic scoreboard, and an indoor academy having a ball throwing machine is also under construction, he said.

The secretary further said that the department had completed work on 100 sports grounds at tehsil level across the province and aims to set up 1,000 more at the union council level.

“We have started an e-bidding system to award all contracts in the province. It doesn’t involve any human interference to ensure transparency,” he said.

Mr Khattak also said the department had saved Rs4.5 billion in the last fiscal year by digitising the operation.

He said the issuance of e-work orders will be in the next phase.