National Stadium, Lahore
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| National Stadium, Lahore | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | National Stadium, Lahore |
| Location | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Owner | Pakistan Cricket Board |
| Operator | Pakistan Cricket Board |
| Surface | Grass |
| Capacity | 27,000 |
| Tenants | Pakistan national cricket team, Lahore Qalandars |
National Stadium, Lahore is a major cricket venue in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, serving as a focal point for international cricket, domestic competitions, and Pakistan Super League matches. The stadium has hosted tours by teams such as Australia national cricket team, England cricket team, India national cricket team, South Africa national cricket team and tournaments involving franchises like Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United. It is administered by the Pakistan Cricket Board and features facilities used by the Pakistan national cricket team and provincial sides.
History
The site was developed amid initiatives linked to the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan and urban projects associated with Lahore District and Punjab (Pakistan). Early fixtures involved touring sides from England national cricket team, West Indies cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team, with fixtures organized under the auspices of the International Cricket Council and regional bodies like the Asian Cricket Council. Renovations have coincided with periods of international return led by visits from Zimbabwe national cricket team, Sri Lanka national cricket team and bilateral agreements negotiated with the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Marylebone Cricket Club. Political and security arrangements with agencies such as the Ministry of Interior (Pakistan) and municipal authorities influenced scheduling during eras marked by tours from the Bangladesh national cricket team and exhibition matches featuring the World XI cricket team.
Architecture and Facilities
The stadium's design reflects influences from municipal projects overseen by the Lahore Development Authority and construction firms with experience on venues like Gaddafi Stadium and international stadia such as Melbourne Cricket Ground and Eden Gardens. Facilities include media centres used by broadcasters like ESPNcricinfo, Sky Sports, Ten Sports, and technical suites compatible with standards from the International Cricket Council. Player amenities meet specifications similar to those at Lord's Cricket Ground and The Oval, with dressing rooms, physio areas, floodlight rigs comparable to installations at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and hospitality suites used by partners such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Nike. Spectator services coordinate with transit planning by the Lahore Metro and municipal transport agencies.
Cricket Ground and Pitch Details
The playing surface is maintained by curators trained in methods propagated by institutions like the Marylebone Cricket Club and premier turf specialists linked to venues such as Sydney Cricket Ground and Lord's. Pitch characteristics have varied between batsman-friendly tracks reminiscent of Adelaide Oval and bowler-supporting wickets paralleling conditions at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Ground dimensions conform to International Cricket Council regulations, and practice nets are used by squads including Pakistan Under-19s, Punjab cricket team, and franchise academies like the Lahore Qalandars Player Development Program.
Major Events and Matches
The stadium has hosted Tests, One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals including series featuring Australia national cricket team, England national cricket team, Sri Lanka national cricket team, South Africa national cricket team, and West Indies cricket team. It staged Pakistan Super League fixtures with franchises such as Lahore Qalandars and marquee matches involving international stars from the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League. Benefit matches and commemorative fixtures have included squads like World XI cricket team and charity events backed by organizations such as the International Cricket Council and corporate partners including Habib Bank Limited and Pakistan Petroleum Limited.
Records and Statistics
Notable individual performances include centuries by players from Pakistan national cricket team, India national cricket team touring sides, and centuries or five-wicket hauls by bowlers from Australia national cricket team and England cricket team. The ground features in databases maintained by ESPNcricinfo and record compilations by the International Cricket Council. Team totals, highest partnerships and bowling records from matches at the venue are cited in archives alongside lists related to the Pakistan Super League and domestic competitions like the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Management and Ownership
Ownership rests with the Pakistan Cricket Board, with operational management handled by the PCB’s venue and events divisions and corporate units liaising with partners such as Pakistan Sports Board, Lahore Development Authority and commercial sponsors including PepsiCo, Ufone, and TCS (company). Event security and protocols coordinate with agencies like the Ministry of Interior (Pakistan) and local law enforcement bodies including Lahore Police and municipal services.
Transportation and Access
Access to the stadium is provided via arterial routes connecting to Kalma Chowk, Ferozepur Road, and links with the Lahore Metrobus and proposed Lahore Orange Line extensions. Spectator transit planning interfaces with transport nodes such as Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore Junction Railway Station, and parking managed by the Lahore Development Authority.
Future Developments and Renovations
Planned upgrades have been discussed with stakeholders including the Pakistan Cricket Board, International Cricket Council, private investors, and municipal entities like the Lahore Development Authority. Proposals reference standards applied at venues such as Melbourne Cricket Ground and Dubai International Cricket Stadium for improved seating, enhanced broadcast infrastructure for broadcasters like Sky Sports and Ten Sports, and academy expansions modeled on the Lahore Qalandars Player Development Program and national training centers.
Category:Cricket grounds in Pakistan Category:Sports venues in Lahore