Karachi and Lahore to install drop-in pitches worth INR 37 crore

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has declared that drop-in pitches will be installed in Karachi and Lahore to improve the level of cricket across the country. Because Asian pitches aren't recognised for having a lot of bounce and carry, batters from this region have difficulty dealing with brutal bouncers in places like South Africa and Australia. As a result, Raja opted to set up drop-in pitches in two places to familiarise their players with bounce-friendly surfaces.

During the players' draught for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021, PCB also inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arif Habib Group in this regard. According to the deal, both pitches are expected to cost INR 37 crore.

In the meantime, a drop-in track will be erected at Karachi's Naya Nazimabad Cricket Stadium, with the other location to be announced later. The process of putting these pitches in place is projected to be completed in 2022. PCB will host domestic and junior-level matches in the stadium after the procedure is completed.

Raja claims the club has yet to win in Australia despite having several talented players on the roster. As a result, the bounce-friendly songs will help them prepare for international situations.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to begin its seventh season on January 27. The players' draught, which took place on Sunday at the High-Performance Centre in Lahore, concluded all six teams (December 12).