The National Stadium in Karachi has been renamed the National Bank Cricket Arena Arena after the PCB signed a five-year naming-rights deal with the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), a government-owned commercial bank. The stadium which has a seating capacity of 32,000, has been on a 99-year lease from the federal government since 1980.
Both parties will also collaborate and partner on initiatives to promote and develop grassroots cricket across the country, including supporting the PCB’s initiatives to scout local talent in Pakistan’s rural areas.
PCB has been working to financially strengthen the country’s cricket since Ramiz Raja’s appointment as chairman, and other iconic Test venues will be renamed as part of the process.
Ramiz Raja welcomed NBP and expressed gratitude for their collaboration with the PCB and said: “This is fantastic news because it shows that prestigious organizations want to be associated with the Pakistan cricket brand because they see a lot of value in it for themselves.”
The National Bank of Pakistan will be allowed to use the venue nomenclature and signage outside the playing area, according to the MoU.
