PCB decides to dig out Pindi Stadium; unlikely to meet CT deadline

Lahore, Jul 29 (UNI) As if security concerns over the Champions' Trophy was not enough, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now decided to dig out the Pindi Stadium ground for laying a new surface, raising eyebrows in cricketing circles.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from September 12. Besides the Pindi Stadium, the other two venues are Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and the National Stadium, Karachi.

''Last week the PCB authorities, without consulting its chief curator Agha Zahid, ordered the digging up of the Pindi Stadium ground for preparing a new surface as well as installing water sprinkle system,'' sources were quoted as saying by Dawn.

However, according to a fair estimate, the chances of the entire project getting completed before the high-profile Champions Trophy tournament appear rather bleak.

Sources further said the construction work at the stadium was moving at a snail's pace and only 30 per cent of the work had been completed.

''The work could be completed by December,'' an expert said.

The renovation work is also going on at the College's End of the Gaddafi Stadium but there are no signs of it getting completed by September in time for the mega event.

Expressing apprehension over the Champions Trophy among PCB officials, the sources said, ''the officials were still unsure about the global event getting underway this September in Pakistan.'' The PCB has selected Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad as the an alternate venue for the Pindi Stadium.

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