National Stadium Karachi
The National Stadium Karachi, now officially named the National Bank Cricket Arena, is a premier international cricket stadium in Pakistan. Owned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it serves as the home ground for the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and various domestic teams from Sindh. This Karachi cricket stadium has witnessed some of the most iconic moments in Pakistan’s cricket history, hosting numerous high stakes international matches and legendary performances that have left an indelible mark on the sport. With a rich legacy and a passionate cricket-loving crowd, the stadium remains a symbol of the country’s deep-rooted cricket culture.
Established in the early 1950s, the Karachi Stadium was officially inaugurated in April 1955 when Karachi was the capital of Pakistan. The Pakistan Public Works Department acquired 174.5 acres of land to construct this national cricket stadium, replacing Karachi Gymkhana as the city’s main cricket venue. Engineers Kafiluddin Ahmed from East Pakistan and Abdul Rasheed Khan from West Pakistan led its construction. It became Pakistan’s 11th first-class cricket ground and Karachi’s fifth.
The first-ever first-class match was played here between Pakistan and India from April 20 to April 24, 1955. For the next 34 Test matches (until December 2000), Pakistan remained unbeaten, securing 17 victories before losing their first Test to England in the 2000–01 series.
Despite being Pakistan’s fortress in Tests, their ODI record at this cricket ground in Karachi was inconsistent, with a five-year winless streak starting in 1996.
In October 2022, the PCB and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) signed a five-year sponsorship deal, renaming it National Bank Cricket Arena. Under this agreement, NBP acquired the naming rights, allowing branding and promotional usage of the Karachi stadium name.
In 2019, the PCB included the stadium as one of the host venues for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. A Rs. 7 million investment in 2007 introduced a 75-meter-long screen, enhancing the viewing experience.
International cricket returned to Karachi Stadium in 2018 after a nine-year hiatus. The Pakistan Super League 2018 final was hosted here between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi. To prepare for the event, major renovations were undertaken:
The 2018 Pakistan vs. West Indies T20I series marked another milestone, as it was the first international cricket series in Karachi since 2009.
In preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, another major renovation project was launched in 2024-25, costing Rs. 3.5 billion. The upgrades included:
The upgraded stadium was officially reopened on February 11, 2025, in a grand ceremony attended by Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, CM Murad Ali Shah, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The event featured performances by Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali, and Sahir Ali Bagga, concluding with fireworks and a light show.
| Record | Details |
| Highest Team Total | 765/6d – Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka (2009) |
| Lowest Team Total | 80 – Australia vs. Pakistan (1956) |
| Highest Run Chase | 315/9 – Pakistan (1959) |
| Highest Partnership | 437 – Mahela Jayawardene & Thilan Samaraweera (2010) |
| Record | Details |
| Highest Team Total | 374/4 – India vs. Hong Kong (2008) |
| Highest Run Chase | 355/4 – Pakistan vs. South Africa (2025) |
| Lowest Team Total | 115 – Bangladesh vs. Pakistan (2008) |
| Highest Individual Score | 181 – Viv Richards vs. Sri Lanka (1987) |
| Record | Details |
| Highest Team Total | 221/3 – England vs. Pakistan (2022) |
| Lowest Team Total | 60/9 – West Indies vs. Pakistan (2018) |
| Highest Individual Score | 110* – Babar Azam vs. England (2022) |
| Date | Match | Winner | Margin |
| 13 Oct 1987 | West Indies (360/4) vs. Sri Lanka (169/4) | West Indies | 191 runs |
| 20 Oct 1987 | Pakistan (247/3) vs. England (244/9) | Pakistan | 7 wickets |
| Date | Match | Winner | Margin |
| 29 Feb 1996 | South Africa (243/5) vs. Pakistan (242/6) | South Africa | 5 wickets |
| 3 Mar 1996 | Pakistan (250/3) vs. England (249/9) | Pakistan | 7 wickets |
| Date | Match | Winner | Margin |
| 19 Feb 2025 | New Zealand (320/5) vs. Pakistan (260) | New Zealand | 60 runs |
| 21 Feb 2025 | South Africa (315/6) vs. Afghanistan (208) | South Africa | 107 runs |
Apart from cricket, this Pakistan stadium has also hosted football tournaments. The 1982 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup featured teams from Pakistan, Nepal, Iran, Oman, and Bangladesh. The final match saw Iran defeating Nepal 4-0.
The National Bank Cricket Arena is not just a cricket ground in Pakistan but a venue that has shaped Pakistan’s cricketing history. With its modern infrastructure, increased seating capacity, and rich legacy, it remains one of the most significant international cricket stadiums in Pakistan. As the biggest cricket stadium in Karachi, it will continue to play a pivotal role in Pakistan’s cricketing future.
With the completion of 2024-25 renovations, this largest cricket stadium in Pakistan is now ready to host the world’s top teams for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, cementing its status as one of the most prestigious cricket stadiums in Pakistan.
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