A formal agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to hand over the management of the historic Niaz Stadium to the board for 20 years is being finalised today.
The purpose of this long-term initiative is to upgrade the stadium according to modern international standards and ensure the return of PSL and international cricket to the venue.
According to details issued by the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC), under the agreement, the PCB will pay the corporation a monthly rent of Rs10,000.
In addition, 20 per cent of the ticket revenue generated from the stadium gates will also be given to the corporation.
Under the agreement, ownership of the stadium will remain with the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. However, the PCB will have complete and exclusive control over all its administrative, commercial and broadcasting activities.
Stadium upgrade and news of PSL matches
The HMC says that under the agreement, the cricket board will upgrade the ground according to modern international standards. After these expansion works, it will be possible to hold first-class, international-level competitions and exciting Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches here.
In recent days, the ground once again gained prominence on the Pakistan cricket scene when, in February 2026, the official name and logo of the PSL’s seventh franchise were unveiled at a grand ceremony at the same stadium, marking the team’s formal entry into the tournament.
Niaz Stadium’s glorious cricket history
Established in 1959, Niaz Stadium has remained an important and historic centre of cricket in Sindh. The ground, with a seating capacity of approximately 15,000 spectators, hosted first-class cricket for the first time in 1962.
The ground hosted its first Test in the 1972-73 season, in a drawn match between Pakistan and England.
Later, four more Test matches were played here, including the 1,000th Test in cricket history, which was played between Pakistan and New Zealand in 1984.
Furthermore, a Pakistan-Sri Lanka match in the 1987 World Cup was also held at the same ground, where the host team secured a thrilling victory in front of a packed stadium.
The period of decline and transfer of control
Despite its glorious past, the ground’s international status gradually declined over time due to inadequate facilities and accommodation problems for teams.
After the 1997-98 season, no One-Day International was played here for a long period. However, in 2007, the PCB upgraded its facilities, after which a One-Day International between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was played in January 2008, ending a decade-long wait for international cricket in Hyderabad.
It should be remembered that the ground remained under the board’s management for 11 years, but on April 2, 2018, Qasimabad Municipal Committee cancelled the memorandum of understanding and took back its control.
Future prospects and impact on sports
The decision to hand Niaz Stadium back to the cricket board’s control after a long period is a highly welcome step for the restoration of the country’s cricket infrastructure.
In the past, a struggle over administrative powers and a lack of funds had left this historic ground deserted.
Now that the PSL is expanding its scope and a seventh team has emerged, it was essential for the PCB to develop venues in other parts of the country that can provide local fans with the opportunity to watch high-level cricket live.
This step by the board will not only support the local economy of Hyderabad but will also play a key role in discovering new talent from interior Sindh. If the upgrade process is completed transparently and swiftly, the ground could once again emerge as an attractive choice for hosting foreign teams.