In a controversial move, Peshawar’s historic Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium has been officially renamed to Imran Khan Cricket Stadium. The decision to change the name comes despite Imran Khan’s earlier directive to retain the stadium’s original name. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, proceeded with the renaming and placed a new signboard at the stadium, stirring strong reactions in the region.
Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had previously expressed his wish that the stadium remain named after Arbab Niaz, a significant figure in the region’s cricketing history. The move to rename the stadium, however, went against his wishes, sparking significant controversy. This development comes just before the stadium was scheduled to host a Pakistan Super League (PSL) exhibition match on April 8, which has now been postponed due to the unrest surrounding the renaming.
The decision to rename the stadium has been met with strong opposition, particularly from Arbab Niaz’s son, Arbab Shehzad, a former Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an ex-adviser to Imran Khan. He, along with many others, has voiced his disapproval, highlighting the deep historical connection the region has with the original name of the stadium.
The renaming has undoubtedly created a stir, with many questioning the move’s impact on the legacy of the stadium and the region’s cricketing heritage.
