PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi Monday said that Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi stadiums are being upgraded to as per the international standards for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2024 to be held in February wherein the eight best teams of the world will participate.
“Some elements wanted the Champions Trophy not to be held in Pakistan,” the PCB chairman said.
“ICC has approved the budget for the Champions Trophy. FWO demolished the old structure of the stadium and the construction of the new stadium will be completed in 5 months,” Mohsen Naqvi said.
He said a five star hotel is also going to be built near PCB and a tunnel will help the players reach the stadium safely from the hotel wherein a modern stadium will be built in Islamabad as well.”
The Prime Minister also wishes that the lost prestige and position of the cricket team should be returned.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the foundation stone of the new building of the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and adviser to chairman on cricket affairs Waqar Yonius also held press conference and were apprised about the latest developments and initiatives of PCB.
"International players will also play in the Champions Cup. Likes and dislikes have been a part of our history. Hopefully, there will be improvement in the coming time,” Naqvi said.
He said Sana Mir has been told to work for women's cricket as PCB has been taking steps for the improvement of women's cricket.
Responding to the criticism Naqvi said he did not care what anyone says about his performance.
Team selection criteria
Naqvi said that a pool of 150 players and five teams will be formed
He said it has been a few months since I joined PCB.
Domestic cricket season 2024-25
PCB chairman has announced three new tournaments in the domestic cricket season 2024-25.
“I see a gap in domestic and international cricket. We did not want to get rid of the domestic structure at all,” PCB chairman told the media persons in Lahore.
Naqvi vowed to improve the selection process of domestic and international cricket. He further said domestic cup will be held in which five old players will be given teams for three years.
There will be three formats in the domestic events — Champions Cup ODI, Champions Cup T20 and Champions First Class Cup will be held in all three formats. The new season will begin on September 1 with the Champions Cup ODI tournament The aim of these tournaments is to bring our cricket up to international standards, he said.
“Our current ranking does not reflect the true potential of Pakistan, the original position is to be restored,’ Naqvi vowed.
“I am very optimistic about the future of Pakistan cricket. A total of 13,000 matches will be played at pathway and development level in this season. An increase in the number of first-class and other matches in the new domestic season as well,” he added.
The remuneration of domestic players and match fee was also increased. “A category-1 player will get Rs5.5 lakh in comparison to the Rs0.3 million in the last season,” Naqvi said.
Newly appointed Waqar Yonius thanked PCB chairman for trusting him for the new role.
“Cricket situation is in front of all of us. Until the structure of cricket is not fixed, the matter will not move forward and for this cricket legends and former cricketers should work together,” he added.
