Pakistan to benefit from Dubai games

Shafqat Nagmi is happy the deal with Dubai Sports City will boost the PCB's coffers

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Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Shafqat Nagmi believes a lucrative new deal with Dubai Sports City will help the body adjust to losses suffered by the postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy.

The PCB has agreed a three-year deal with the groundbreaking development that will see Pakistan play matches at its new ‘home away from home’.

The Champions Trophy was originally scheduled to begin this month but, after concerns by a number of the International Cricket Council member nations regarding security in the embattled country, a decision was made in August to postpone the event until September or October next year.

The new agreement, worth a reported 750 million rupees to the PCB, will commence with a tri-nations tournament involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in April 2009.

Twenty20 events involving Pakistan will then follow with the move opening up the possibility of Pakistan being able to face nations that have been reluctant to tour the country due to the current instability.

Dubai Sports City is a $3.7 billion facility which aims to create a ‘city within a city’ themed on sport.

The city’s four stadia are headlined by a 60,000-seat football, rugby and athletics venue, while Pakistan will call the 25,000 seat Cricket Stadium its new home.

It is scheduled to open in February 2009 and aims to become the most advanced facility of its kind in the world.

Nagmi believes the agreement with Dubai Sports City will provide the dual benefit of a financial injection for the PCB, plus the prospect of more competitive action for a ring-rusty Pakistan team.

“Under this recently agreed contract, the Pakistan team will play different events at the off-shore venue for three years following the completion of Dubai Cricket Stadium next year,” he told reporters.

“It is a lucrative contract which will help to overcome losses after the postponement of the Champions Trophy.

“Through this deal we will be generating enough funds, along with having a definite programme of our team’s participation in international cricket.”

The contract is subject to approval from the incoming chairman of the PCB.