New Design of Karachi National Stadium Revealed

As Pakistan prepares to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the new design for Karachi National Stadium, which will be one of the main venues for the event. The redesign is part of a broader renovation project for major cricket stadiums across the country. The renovation will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase focusing on essential structural improvements, scheduled to be completed before the tournament starts on February 19, 2025. The new design includes the construction of a building in front of the main structure, which will house VIP boxes, a gallery, media spaces, and areas for players’ families. The dressing rooms might also be moved to this new building. The old scoreboard and certain enclosures have already been demolished to make way for these updates. The second phase, which involves roofing the entire stadium, will be finished after the tournament. Due to ongoing construction at Karachi’s National Stadium, the Pakistan-Bangladesh Test match scheduled for August 30th will be played without any spectators. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has assured that no construction work will take place during the match, with all activities restricted to off-hours or night shifts to minimize disruption. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is personally overseeing the renovation project. He recently visited the headquarters of BDP Pattern, a renowned UK-based architectural firm, in London. This firm, known for designing over 200 international-standard stadiums, has been entrusted with upgrading the National Stadium. Chairman Naqvi expressed his satisfaction with the proposed designs, highlighting that this is the first time Pakistani stadiums are being modernized to accommodate such a large number of cricket fans. The renovation project extends beyond Karachi, with upgrades planned for venues in Lahore and Rawalpindi as well. The PCB has allocated Rs12.80 billion for these renovations, aiming to complete them before the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. This effort is part of a broader initiative to improve Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure ahead of the prestigious event. In addition, the ICC has approved a budget of approximately $70 million for the Champions Trophy. This budget will cover expenses during the support period from February 12 to 18, 2025, which will be dedicated to warm-up matches, media activities, and promotional events. These preparations will be coordinated between the ICC and the PCB. Warm-up matches leading up to the tournament will be held in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, with each participating team allowed to play up to two matches. Chairman Naqvi has reaffirmed the PCB’s commitment to completing the renovations on time, ensuring that Pakistan is fully prepared to host the Champions Trophy.