|| CF DESK ||

As part of the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) efforts to improve the quality of cricket across the country, Chairman Ramiz Raja has announced that Karachi and Lahore will each receive a drop-in pitch.

During the seventh season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), PCB inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arif Habib Group in this regard. Both pitches are expected to cost Rs. 37 crore each.

According to the agreement, a drop-in pitch would be erected in the Naya Nazimabad Cricket Stadium in Karachi, with a second location to be disclosed later. The process of putting these pitches in place is projected to be completed in 2022.

“The installation of drop-in pitches is surely going to benefit our players both at the domestic and international levels. Over the years, we have struggled to cope with the extra bounce and pace that some of the pitches in Australia and New Zealand provide," Ramiz said.

“Despite abundance of talent and ability, we are yet to win an away Test series in Australia while our record in New Zealand has also taken a beating in recent trips," he added.