The completion of the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar is anticipated by June this year, according to Amjad Aziz Malik, Advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Minister. The Hayatabad Cricket Stadium project is set to receive an allocation of approximately Rs. 2 billion.
Amjad Aziz informed a local media outlet that various amenities, including chairs and pavilions, have already been installed, and the only remaining task is the installation of floodlights. He attributed the increased construction costs to the country’s financial conditions and the rise in the dollar rate.
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About the budget for the project, he stated, “Around Rs2 billion will be spent on the project. The grass has been grown, pitches have been prepared and we hope that by June the construction work will be completed.” However, he acknowledged that hosting PSL matches this time is unlikely due to the already unveiled schedule of the marquee event.
Discussing the Hayatabad Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, Amjad Aziz mentioned that the construction work is almost complete, and it will be officially handed over to the KP Sports Directorate within six weeks. This suggests that the stadium is on the verge of readiness for hosting both domestic and international cricket matches.
Amjad also shared the aspirations of Chief Minister Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah and Dr. Najeebullah Marwat to organize an exhibition match in Peshawar featuring players from the Pakistan Super League (PSL). While the feasibility remains uncertain, their enthusiasm to bring top-level cricket back to Peshawar is evident, as the city has not witnessed such matches since 2006. If they gain control of the venue, it could also serve as a hub for domestic cricket matches.
