Islamabad Plans New Cricket Stadium for Over 35,000 Spectators

The Capital Development Authority says a three-tier stadium near Sector D-12 will hold more than 35,000 fans and could be ready before the 2028 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 26, 2026 · 11:21 AM 2 min read

Key takeaways

CDA plans a cricket stadium near Sector D-12 with capacity over 35,000.

The three-tier structure will be more than 25 metres tall at the Margalla Hills foothills.

Construction will start within days after resolving a bid-rate dispute and completing the access road.

Phase one covers the stadium and about three kilometres of roads; phase two adds landscaping, electrical work and pitch preparation.

The project's PC-I is Rs. 11.9 billion, with the lowest bid at Rs. 8.9 billion and a Rs. 400 million rebate agreed.

Islamabad's Capital Development Authority (CDA) revealed that a new cricket stadium near Sector D-12 will seat more than 35,000 spectators.

The three-tier venue, planned to rise over 25 metres, will sit at the foothills of the Margalla Hills.

Construction is set to begin within days after the CDA and the contractor resolved a dispute over the bid rate and completed the approach road from Margalla Road to the site.

Phase one includes building the stadium and roughly three kilometres of access roads. In phase two, the CDA will handle landscaping, electrical work and preparation of the playing surface, including pitches.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials told Dawn they hope the stadium will be fully operational before the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2028, with the board seeking to host some matches there.

The CDA selected the D-12 location after also evaluating a site near Malpur in Zone I.

The chosen plot lies in Zone III, an area where construction is generally barred and landowners cannot erect houses, though the CDA says sports and recreational facilities are permitted and the stadium qualifies.

A prior PCB stadium project at Shakarparian was halted after Supreme Court directions; that effort had used CDA-provided land. This time the civic agency will construct the stadium itself.

Before moving forward, the CDA and the construction firm needed to settle a disagreement over the bid rate.

Sources indicated the CDA asked for a rebate before groundbreaking, while the contractor argued its March bid reflected rising diesel, petrol and other costs, leaving no room for a reduction.

The project's PC-I was valued at Rs. 11.9 billion. The Habib-ZKB-EA joint venture offered the lowest bid of Rs. 8.9 billion, and the parties have now agreed to a Rs. 400 million rebate, sources said.

via: Dawn