Pakistan Cricket Board approved a proposal to commercialise the Bugti Cricket Stadium in Quetta, agreeing on setting up a Working Group to draft and submit detailed proposals on the matter.

“I am grateful to the BoG for their support and the approval of the Bugti Cricket Stadium’s commercialization with an aspiration of becoming a world-class centre. This will prove to be a game-changer for Quetta and the region as it will generate significant revenues that will be reinvested into cricket to provide bigger and better opportunities for the whole community,” said PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani.

During the meeting, PCB Managing Director Mr Wasim Khan said that, as part of investing in developing and up-skilling officials, a discussion has taken place with an official of the England and Wales Cricket Board to send Pakistani first-class umpires to England to officiate in second eleven cricket in 2020.

He said an in-principle partnership was reached with Warwickshire County Cricket Club to send young players and coaches as part of an exchange programme.

“It’s the commitment and resolve of this set-up that it will invest in developing its assets and resources. Our recent investment into our pathway cricket and a comprehensive National Cricket Academy Programme 2019-2020 are an illustration of that commitment,” the PCB managing director.

“Now, we are expanding our reach, and utilising our goodwill and contacts with other Boards to provide further foreign exposure to our high-performing match officials and cricketers. The PCB is confident this will contribute significantly to a stronger Pakistan cricket.”

The press release said the Board also ratified last month’s approved circular resolutions and approved the appointment of Deloitte as independent external auditors for the 2018-2019 financial year and the management’s proposed budget.

“The BoG congratulated the PCB on earning the hosting rights of the ACC Asia Cup T20 2020 in September next year, and appreciated the PCB’s efforts in engaging with the ICC Members as part of their efforts for the normal resumption of international cricket in Pakistan,” it said.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, members Asad Ali Khan, Lt Gen (R) Muzammil Hussain, Kabir Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Imran Farookhi, Muhammad Ayaz Butt, Shahrez Abdullah Khan, Shahdost, and ex-officio Akbar Durrani and attended the meeting.