Sports

Is Niaz Stadium Hyderabad ready for a cricket comeback?

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi have agreed to upgrade the stadium to meet modern international standards

avatar-icon

Javed Iqbal

Correspondent

Syed Javed Iqbal is a distinguished and seasoned sports journalist with over two decades of excellence in the field of sports media. He has been a prominent figure on some of Pakistan’s leading news channels, including ARY News, Aaj News, and 24 News, earning widespread recognition for his insightful reporting and comprehensive coverage. Throughout his illustrious career, Syed Javed Iqbal has reported from the frontlines of some of the world’s most prestigious international sporting events. His coverage includes six ICC Cricket World Cups, the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, South Asian Games, World Table Tennis Championships, Volleyball World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup, Japan Open, Champions Trophy, Pakistan Super League (PSL), and the Asia Cup in hockey. His assignments have taken him across the globe to countries such as the USA, Japan, Australia, England, France, India, South Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Known for his on-ground presence and in-depth analysis, Syed Javed Iqbal has earned national and international acclaim as a credible and authoritative voice in sports journalism.

Full Bio
Is Niaz Stadium Hyderabad ready for a cricket comeback?play icon
- YouTube

www.youtube.com

Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad was established in 1961 by then-Commissioner Niaz Ahmed. It hosted its first Test in 1973 between Pakistan and England. Pakistan remains unbeaten here, with five Tests and seven ODIs played.

The ground has witnessed historic moments, including Javed Miandad’s 280 against India in 1983, Jalal-ud-Din’s record first-ever ODI hat-trick, the 1000th Test match in 1984 between Pakistan and New Zealand, and the 1987 World Cup opener between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The last ODI played here was in 2008, featuring Pakistan and Zimbabwe. But after international cricket in Pakistan came to a halt in 2009, the lights of Niaz Stadium too dimmed into silence.

Since then, cricket fans in Hyderabad have been waiting for 17 long years to see international cricket return to their city.

There is now renewed hope. In June 2025, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah met with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and both agreed to upgrade Niaz Stadium to meet modern international standards.

CM Murad also assured that the Sindh government will fully support the renovation efforts, reigniting hopes that Hyderabad will once again witness cricket at the highest level.

Comments

See what people are discussing

Back To Top