Pak vs SA: Karachi Gymkhana included in bio-secure bubble for South Africa series

Karachi Gymkhana is one of the historic cricket facilities in Karachi which has hosted 70 first-class matches

Faizan Lakhani

December 12, 2020

The South Africans will arrive in Karachi on January 16 and the first match is scheduled to start on January 26 at National Stadium. FIle photo

Proteas will play two Test and three T20Is
The South Africans will arrive in Karachi on January 16
Karachi Gymkhana is one of the historic cricket facilities in Karachi

KARACHI: The South African cricket team will train at the Karachi Gymkhana during their isolation period and the preparations are underway by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ready the ground for the purpose, it emerged on Friday

The PCB will include the cricket ground of Karachi Gymkhana in its bio-secure bubble on a temporary basis during Proteas’ tour to the country next month.

A top source in PCB confirmed that arrangements are being made at the venue to provide South African cricketers a practice facility during their initial isolation period.

“As Gymkhana ground is next to the hotel where the team will be staying, it will be logistically easy for everyone to have practice sessions for South Africans arranged at there,” the source said privy to matter.

“The venue will be included in the bio-secure bubble for the visiting side and they’ll train there for initial isolation period after arriving in Pakistan,” they added.

Karachi Gymkhana is one of the historic cricket facilities in Karachi which has hosted 70 first-class matches between 1926 and 1987 including Ranji Trophy, MCC tours and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match.

The venue was also among the practice facilities during the Cricket World Cup 1996 jointly hosted by Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. It also hosted women Asia Cup cricket in 2005/06 and three WODIs between Pakistan and West Indies women in 2004.

The South Africans will arrive in Karachi on January 16 and the first match is scheduled to start on January 26 at National Stadium. The isolation period for South African team is likely to be between 5 to 7 days.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed their tour to Pakistan for two Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals earlier this week on Wednesday. The two sides will be playing the country after a gap of 14 years. The Proteas side last visited Pakistan in 2007.