Hyderabad, October 6, 2026 (Ghufran): The historic Niaz Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad has been handed over to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a 20-year period under an agreement between the Municipal Corporation and the PCB. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during a ceremony attended by PCB Chief Executive Officer Sameer Ahmed Syed and Hyderabad Mayor Kashif Shoro. Under the agreement, the PCB will manage and modernise the stadium according to international standards, while its seating capacity will also be increased and necessary facilities provided. A regional cricket academy will also be made operational at the venue to promote domestic cricket and develop emerging talent. Niaz Cricket Stadium has hosted several memorable moments in Pakistan cricket, including legendary batsman Javed Miandad’s unbeaten 288-run innings. The stadium also hosted the opening match of the first ICC World Cup held in the subcontinent, featuring Pakistan and Sri Lanka.