PCB acquires multi-storied building near Gaddafi stadium Lahore

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has purchased a multi-storied building near Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore for PKR 4 billion, aiming to address the long-standing issue of accommodation for local and international cricketers.

According to details, a multi-storied building was constructed very close to Gaddafi Stadium. PCB objected to it due to security concerns, legal disputes also arose, and construction work was halted during this period. The builder had also taken money from people for flats; when he got stuck, he offered to sell the building to PCB.

During Zaka Ashraf's recent tenure as the board's chief, there was progress on this project, but sources say that now PCB has formally bought this building for four billion rupees. The building is currently in an incomplete state as an apartment complex, so they will need to renovate it in order to convert it into a hotel.

More substantial funds will be spent on the project, but a major issue of accommodation for foreign and local cricketers will be resolved upon reaching the completion stage. Currently, teams stay at a local five-star hotel, costing PCB millions of rupees.

Roads leading from hotel to stadium are closed during matches, causing inconvenience to the public. Close proximity accommodation will facilitate everyone and will also save money.

It is worth noting that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) also has quality accommodation facilities, but the number of rooms is not enough for teams to stay together. The PCB also intends to build a hotel near the National Bank Stadium in Karachi after Lahore.