PCB in talks to build cricket stadium in Saudi Arabia | CricTracker

The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly in talks with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation to construct a cricket stadium in Jeddah. The proposal has received approval from the PCB’s Governing Council.

Sources within the PCB stated that PCB Chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is heading talks with Saudi cricket officials, with an expression of interest for the stadium already having been submitted.

“The PCB wants to promote cricket in the Saudi Kingdom and also hold some Pakistan Super League matches there, but a final document is yet to be signed for starting work on the new stadium,” the source said as per India Today.

The source added that discussions are underway to find a suitable location for stadium’s construction, with seating capacity, floodlights and other features which ensure that top-level matches, and even games from the Pakistan Super League can be held at the venue.

The source also mentioned that the decisions are being taken due to Saudi Arabia’s newfound interest in the sport, expressing interest in organising a T20 League. The country also has a prominent population from South Asia, which would drive interest in the sport upwards in the country.

“Talks are in the initial stages, but PCB has made it clear it is on board with the Saudi body because of the brotherly ties between the two countries. The PCB has shown interest because of the presence of a large Pakistani and other South Asian expatriate community in the kingdom,” the source added.

The UAE has been the prominent destination for cricket in the Middle East, hosting bilateral series, ICC Events, and various franchise leagues, along with its own T20 franchise league, the ILT20.

The country has three Test venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, which have hosted Pakistan’s matches when there were security concerns revolving around the country. They have organised the 2021 T20 World Cup, originally meant to happen in India in 2020, along with the entire 2020 edition and the second half of the 2021 edition of the IPL. The early leg of the 2014 IPL was also played in the country due to the general elections in India.

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