Peshawar's Arbab Niaz Stadium to host PSL 10 matches
File photo
After a gap of nearly two decades, international cricket is set to return to Peshawar's newly renovated Arbab Niaz Stadium.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that two matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held in Peshawar, marking the revival of cricket activities at the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium.
The last international cricket match between Pakistan and India took place in Peshawar 19 years ago, in 2006.
Following the persistent efforts of Peshawar Zalmi and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, the PCB has agreed to host two PSL matches in the city. However, due to the lack of flood lights, both matches will be played during daytime.
In addition, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Champions Trophy will arrive in Peshawar on Thursday and will be displayed at the historic Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium.
Earlier, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Syed Fakhar Jahan, announced that construction work on the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar would be completed by February 15.
During a visit to the stadium, Jahan shared that the stadium, once completed, would be ready to host Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches. He assured that the provincial government would make every effort to bring PSL matches to Peshawar.
The minister was accompanied by Peshawar Zalmi’s Director and former Test cricketer Mohammad Akram, Director General of Sports Abdul Nasir, Director of Arbab Niaz Stadium Saleem Raza, engineers, and contractors.
He mentioned that civil work at the stadium would be carried out in double shifts to ensure timely completion by the middle of February. He expressed optimism about hosting PSL matches in Peshawar next year, stating that funding would not be a hurdle in the construction process.
The provincial minister also said that security in the province was not a concern, highlighting the successful hosting of several national-level events, including a recently concluded marathon featuring athletes from across the country.