LAHORE: The stand-off between the Punjab government and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over bearing the cost of installing lights for the security cover on the route for the international cricket teams scheduled to play four matches of the Asia Cup in Lahore and Multan ended on Friday as the cricket board agreed to pay Rs100m.

The Punjab government has agreed to make arrangements of the lights for the Aug 30 match in Multan while the PCB would pay the cost to the vendor separately.

The government and the PCB had locked horns over the issue as the former insisted that the cricket board should pay the cost. A detailed discussion and exchange of hot arguments were witnessed during the talks over the issue ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in February-March this year too.

Three matches of the Asia Cup in Lahore would be played on Sept 3, 5 and 6.

In a meeting with the Punjab government on Friday, the PCB agreed to pay Rs100m for the expenses.

Speaking to Dawn, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Mian Shakeel said a meeting was held with PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf and both parties agreed that the board would procure lights after the Asia Cup while for the time being, the Punjab government would arrange lights, install them and ensure complete security cover to the international teams.

“The PCB has given Rs100m as well as finalised further arrangements,” he said.

Ahead of the PSL in Feb-March this year, it may be mentioned, the Punjab government had initially demanded Rs450m to procure lights and provide complete security cover but later lowered its demand to Rs250m. The PCB had insisted that it would share the cost with the payment of Rs100m and the remaining cost should be shared by the Punjab government.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2023