A total of 23 pitches including a cement track and for the first time marble turf were also constructed in the facility. The facility was constructed under the ongoing first phase of mega renovation work in the National stadium.

Head of High Performance Center, Iqbal Qasim talking to media said the reason to construct such facility was to omit players’ excuses. They won’t have any excuse left once the centre became operational.

“For the first time we have experiment with the marble track. The ball will come on with more pace and bounce as compare to a regular cement pitch,” said Iqbal Qasim while commenting on the marble pitch.

“Javed Miandad was famous for such experiments. He used to practice by place marble pieces. We can call it a replica of his experiment,” Qasim revealed.

Replying to a question, the former cricketer said, “Practicing on these tracks, would improve our batsmen footwork and performances on bouncy tracks in foreign condition particularly in New Zealand and Australia.”

Commenting on the idea of constructing such facility the HPC head said, “The idea was simple that we should have every kind of track available in the country at any given time.”

Giving time frame of completion of the project, Iqbal Qasim said, “The work has been completed from our end, now we are waiting for natural growth which will require another two, three weeks.”

With Pakistan Super League (PSL) just around the corner and West Indies tour to Pakistan next month, construction of such facility would come as a blessing in disguise.