The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in discussions with the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation about building a new cricket stadium in Jeddah. This proposal has already gained approval from the PCB’s Governing Board.
According to PCB insiders, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is at the forefront of these talks with Saudi cricket officials. They have already expressed interest in moving forward with the stadium’s construction.
The PCB aims to promote cricket in Saudi Arabia and hopes to host some Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches there. However, the final agreements for the stadium’s construction are still to be finalized.
Officials are currently looking for an appropriate location for the stadium, which will be equipped with floodlights and designed to accommodate major matches, including PSL games.
Saudi cricket officials have reached out to the PCB regarding this project, as the nation has shown increased interest in developing cricket and is even considering starting its own T20 league.
While these discussions are still in the early phases, the PCB is committed to collaborating with its Saudi counterparts, reflecting the strong ties between the two countries. They see potential due to the significant Pakistani and other South Asian communities living in Saudi Arabia.
Previously, the United Arab Emirates has been the go-to destination for international cricket in the Middle East, hosting events like Test matches, the Asia Cup, and the Indian Premier League (IPL). It has three established Test venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, and from 2010 to 2019, it frequently hosted Pakistan’s home Tests.
The PSL was launched in 2016 in Dubai when overseas players were hesitant to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.
