Ramiz Raja Plans To Have Drop-In Pitches In Lahore And Karachi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja said that the installation of drop-in pitches will benefit the national players. On the day of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) draft for its seventh season, the PCB signed an agreement with Arif Habib Group for creating and installing two drop-in pitches in the country.

Installation of drop-in pitches is surely going to benefit our players: Ramiz Raja

According to the agreement, the group will install drop-in pitches at Naya Nazimabad Cricket Stadium in Karachi and one more location that will be decided by the Pakistan board.

“The installation of drop-in pitches is surely going to benefit our players both at the domestic and international levels. Over the years, we have struggled to cope with the extra bounce and pace that some of the pitches in Australia and New Zealand provide.

“Despite the abundance of talent and ability, we are yet to win an away Test series in Australia while our record in New Zealand has also taken a beating in recent trips,” Raja said in a statement.

“I want to thank Mr. Arif Habib for coming forward and helping us in this regard. The Arif Habib Group has a keen interest in cricket which is apparent from the quality cricket facility that they are developing in Karachi.

“I am sure both PCB and Arif Habib Group will mutually benefit from this agreement in the years to come, as this deal has enormous potential that will come to fruition in due course,” he added.

Drop-in pitches to be ready by 2022

Earlier in the PSL draft, Raja had mentioned the second venue could be Lahore and the cost of installing drop-in pitches would be 37 crores. The process for the procurement of drop-in pitches is expected to be completed in 2022.

After the new planned pitches are ready, PCB aims to host U19 and women’s matches in Karachi.

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