PCB takes over Niaz Stadium under 20-year agreement
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken charge of Hyderabad’s historic Niaz Cricket Stadium under a 20-year agreement aimed at transforming the ageing venue into a modern cricket facility.
The PCB and Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, giving the cricket board responsibility for the stadium’s redevelopment, management and operations.
The agreement was signed by PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed and Hyderabad Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro.
Under the agreement, the PCB will pay Rs10,000 per month as rent and provide HMC with 20% of net revenue generated from gate receipts. The cricket board will retain commercial rights related to ticketing, hospitality, advertising, broadcasting and sponsorships.
The PCB will also cover the full cost of upgrading the stadium. Planned improvements include work on the playing surface, outfield, floodlights, pavilion, media facilities and spectator stands.
PCB officials said Hyderabad could potentially host Pakistan Super League matches by 2030, but the stadium must first meet the required International Cricket Council standards.
The venue currently has a seating capacity of around 12,000, which will need to be increased to approximately 20,000. New floodlights and improved media facilities will also be required before the stadium can stage major international-level matches.
The PCB also plans to establish a regional cricket academy at the stadium early next year. Trials are expected to be conducted for Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 players.
Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro said the provincial government and HMC had carried out renovation work at the venue in recent years following public demands for its restoration. He added that cricket fans in Hyderabad were eager to see PSL matches return to the city.
Niaz Stadium was built in 1961 and hosted its most recent One-Day International in January 2008, when Pakistan faced Zimbabwe.
This is not the first time the PCB has been given responsibility for the stadium. A similar arrangement was made in 2007, but the facility was later taken back by the municipal authorities after significant redevelopment work did not take place.
