The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet has officially approved the renaming of Peshawar’s Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium to Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in tribute to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
On Thursday, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur ratified the renaming through a proposal from the sports department. Located in Shahi Bagh, this premier international cricket venue in the province now proudly carries Imran Khan’s name. The provincial cabinet finalised the decision on Friday, as confirmed by the provincial information department.
Originally transferred to the sports board in 1986-87, the stadium underwent significant upgrades in preparation for the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India. It has since hosted major international cricket teams from Australia, England, India, and others for Tests, One Day Internationals, and local matches, making it a fitting venue to bear Imran Khan’s name, given his towering legacy in the sport.
Sports Minister Syed Fakhar Jahan stressed that renaming the stadium goes beyond political affiliations. “Imran Khan is the most prominent figure in our sports history,” he stated. Authorities had named the stadium after another former sports minister, Arbab Niaz, and this renaming marks a significant shift towards a new era.
The renaming honours a cricket legend and aims to elevate KP’s profile in the sports domain. For now, the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium stands as a lasting homage to a transformative figure in cricket.
