Concerns Raised Over Gaddafi Stadium's Drainage After PSL Match Abandonment

Q: How much did the PCB spend on the Gaddafi Stadium renovations?

The PCB spent over **Rs. 18 billion** on the renovations, exceeding the initial budget of **Rs. 12.8 billion**.

Original: Kamran Akmal, Basit Ali question PCB: Rs. 18 billion spent on Gaddafi Stadium and it still can’t handle rain

The Indian Express•Apr 1, 20263 min

In a Nutshell

Former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal and Basit Ali criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for inadequate drainage at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, after a PSL match was abandoned due to waterlogged conditions. Despite spending over Rs. 18 billion on renovations, the stadium's drainage system failed to function effectively.

Key Points

01Kamran Akmal questioned the PCB's spending on Gaddafi Stadium renovations, highlighting poor drainage.
02The PSL match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi was abandoned due to waterlogged conditions.
03Basit Ali emphasized the need for a proper slope in the ground for effective drainage.
04The PCB's renovation budget exceeded Rs. 18 billion, significantly higher than the initial estimate of Rs. 12.8 billion.
05This incident marks a repeated failure, with similar issues during the Champions Trophy in March 2025.

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Full Summary

Former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal and Basit Ali expressed their dissatisfaction with the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) renovation of Gaddafi Stadium after a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match was abandoned on March 31 due to waterlogged conditions. Akmal criticized the PCB for spending over Rs. 18 billion on upgrades, questioning the effectiveness of the drainage system, which he deemed a top priority. He compared the situation unfavorably to international venues where water drains quickly. Basit Ali supported these claims, stating that proper ground slope is essential for effective drainage. The match was called off just 30 minutes before the cut-off for a five-over game, with both teams receiving one point each. This isn't the first occurrence; a match during the Champions Trophy in March 2025 was also washed out for similar reasons. The PCB had renovated the stadium in 117 days, inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on February 7, 2025, but failed to address critical drainage issues despite the extensive budget increase from the original Rs. 12.8 billion.

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