Pakistan: Stadium being spruced up

Faisalabad: Final touches are being given to the Iqbal Stadium for the second Test match between Pakistan and England, beginning here on Nov 29.

The ground-floor of the stadium has been spruced up while the ground itself is lush green strip. Work on this stadium began way back in 1958. It passed from various phases of construction, demolition and reconstruction.

The stadium is situated in the heart of the city, commanding an excellent all-round view. On one side, it has a unique 13-acre gold course which is being privately managed. On the eastern side, their is the arts council building which is coming up rapidly, along with divisional commissioner's complex, and a fun land area.

Almost after 48 years at last, the Iqbal Stadium has emerged one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the country which has one of the busiest commercial arcades in the city.

The stadium was given status of the Test cricket centre in 1980. It has a mini-tractor with trolley, an auto-roller, an auto-mower, a heavy roller, a light roller, two moving machines and pitch covers.

For the forthcoming Test match, special desks are being provided in the press galleries.

So far, 19 Test matches have been played here out of which only eight were decided. However, all 12 one-day international matches which were played here were result-oriented.

About 4,000 fibre glass chairs are being installed for the VIP and first class enclosures. Six fibre glass family cabins have also been prepared. Committee rooms and offices located on the ground floor have also been extended. Minor repairs are going on at full speed.

The Faisalabad deputy commissioner told this correspondent that players' galleries and stairs were being carpeted.

A triangular plot in front of the main entrance of the stadium complex is being decorated. The grassy plot located on the right side of the triangular plot is also being done up.

The DC said the stadium had been selected by the PCB for the installation of floodlights which would make Faisalabad the fourth such centre in the country. The seating capacity of the stadium was also being doubled from 17,264 for which another storey was being added to the main structure, he said.

The stadium is known for its dead wicket. However, the organizers claim that the wicket for the forthcoming Test match has been prepared according to international standards and it will be result-oriented.