KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday opened the newly renovated National Bank Stadium in Karachi, ahead of the 50-over Champions Trophy tournament.
The facility features world-class dressing rooms for players and match officials, complemented by high-quality hospitality rooms, according to the PCB.
In addition to the new pavilion, 350 LED lights and two digital replay screens have been installed at the stadium to improve broadcast quality, besides the addition of over 5,000 new chairs to enhance spectator comfort.
The eight-team Champions Trophy will be staged from February 19 to March 9 in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, although arch-rival India’s matches will be staged in the United Arab Emirates after they refused to play in Pakistan.
“This upgrade is a testament to our vision of elevating Pakistan’s cricketing venues to international standards,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement.
“The National Bank Stadium, which last saw a major overhaul during the 1996 World Cup, now stands as a modern, world-class facility that will not only host domestic and international matches but also provide players and fans with a top-tier experience.”
Pakistan last held a major tournament in 1996, when it co-hosted the World Cup with India and Sri Lanka, before a forced hiatus over security concerns.
Nearly 5,000 dedicated workers contributed tirelessly to transforming the Karachi stadium, ensuring its full operational readiness for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Naqvi said the “incredible” workforce behind the stadium’s transformation deserved immense appreciation.
“Their hard work has made it possible for us to proudly present the National Bank Stadium as a world-class venue, ready to welcome top cricketing action,” he added.
Last week, Pakistan also opened the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore after a 117-day renovation work, during which LED floodlights, larger score screens, new hospitality boxes and upgraded seating were installed.
Pakistan inaugurates newly renovated Karachi stadium ahead of Champions Trophy
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Pakistan inaugurates newly renovated Karachi stadium ahead of Champions Trophy
- In addition to new pavilion, 350 LED lights, two digital replay screens and over 5,000 new chairs have been installed at the stadium
- Champions Trophy will be staged from Feb. 19 to Mar. 9 in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, while India will play their matches in the UAE
Pakistan stock market sheds over 2,000 points amid regional tensions
- KSE-100 index lost 2,025.53 points, or 1.1 percent, to close at 182,384.14
- The development comes amid public unrest in Iran, possibility of a US strike
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) fell sharply and lost more than 2,000 points during the intraday trade on Monday, with analysts blaming the slump on geopolitical uncertainty linked to heightened tensions in the region.
The benchmark KSE-100 index lost 2,025.53 points, or 1.1 percent, to close at 182,384.14 points, down from 184,409.67 points at the weekend close, according to PSX data.
The development came amid public unrest in Iran over worsening economic conditions, with the death toll reaching nearly 550 and the government arresting more than 10,600 people in a crackdown.
US President Donald Trump said late Sunday his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran but cautioned he may have to act first as reports mount of increasing deaths and the government continues arrests.
“[Pakistan] stocks slumped on geopolitical uncertainty,” Ahsan Mehanti, chief executive officer at Arif Habib Commodities, told Arab News. “Weak global equities, political noise, and security unrest played a catalyst role in selling activity at PSX.”
Meanwhile, Pakistani market research firm Topline Securities said activity slowed noticeably as buying interest from local funds eased after last week’s strong rally.
“With the market having advanced nearly 3 percent on a WoW (week on week) basis, investors chose to lock in gains, resulting in broad-based profit-taking during the session,” it said on X.
“The pullback appears to be a healthy consolidation after the recent sharp up-move, rather than a shift in the market’s underlying sentiment.”
It said that a total of 1,055 million shares were traded at the market on Monday, with Fauji Foods Limited (FFL) topping the volume chart with 65.6 million shares.
Pakistan’s stock market has gained momentum in recent months as broad institutional buying boosted investor confidence amid ongoing economic reforms under international lending programs.
Around 135,000 new investors have joined the PSX over the last 18 months. Last week, Pakistani stocks climbed to a fresh all-time high with the benchmark KSE-100 Index crossing the 186,000-point mark for the first time ever.
