Peshawar: After a gap of nearly two decades, international cricket is set to return to Peshawar’s newly renovated Arbab Niaz Stadium.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that two matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held in Peshawar, marking the revival of cricket activities at the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium. The last international cricket match between Pakistan and India took place in Peshawar 19 years ago, in 2006. Following the persistent efforts of Peshawar Zalmi and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, the PCB has agreed to host two PSL matches in the city. However, due to the lack of flood lights, both matches will be played during daytime. In addition, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Champions Trophy will arrive in Peshawar on Thursday and will be displayed at the historic Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium. Earlier, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Syed Fakhar Jahan, announced that construction work on the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar would be completed by February 15.

During a visit to the stadium, Jahan shared that the stadium, once completed, would be ready to host Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches. He assured that the provincial government would make every effort to bring PSL matches to Peshawar.