Karachi’s National Stadium to undergo second phase of renovation following conclusion of the HBL PSL 10. The concerned authorities have decided to upgrade the stadium following the low attendance of spectators in the stadium during the PSL matches.
According to preliminary reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will initiate a full re-profiling of the stadium’s stands, followed by a large-scale redevelopment project.
The aim is to bring the stadium up to the international standards. The renovations are aimed at making the stadiuman inviting and accessible venue for both domestic and international fixtures.
The significantly low attendace of the audience in the Karachi matches raised question on the disinterest of the cricket fans. Many attributed the lack of attendance to the outdated facilities and poor viewing experience. Stakeholders are now moving rapidly to address those concerns.
The revamp of the stadium includes a complete redesign of seating areas, focusing on comfort, space, and improved sightlines. Upgrades in the architecture will also improve the aesthetics of the stadium and bring in a contemporary look in the stadium.
Entry and exit routes are being restructured to improve crowd flow, enhance safety, and reduce congestion. Parking facilities will also be overhauled, with designated zones aimed at addressing long-standing accessibility issues on match days.
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The timeline of the completion of the project has not been given, however, reports indicate that the project will be started soon.
A similar issue of a lack of audience was reported during the ICC Champions Trophy matches held earlier this year in Karachi. Cricket experts discussed the possible reasons for the poor attendance. Several cricket fans from Karachi complained that the poor fan experience in the stadium deters the citizens from going to stadium. They demanded authorities to improve the infrastructure of the stadium to woo the cricket fans.