In a bizarre turn of events, the CCTV cameras installed for monitoring the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season in Lahore have been stolen from the Gaddafi Stadium. According to ARY News, a total of 8 cameras as well as few other costly equipment were stolen and were worth millions of Pakistani rupees.
As per local reports, the stolen items include generator batteries and fibre cables for closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras worth millions. In addition to the cameras, batteries of generators installed for lighting at Gaddafi Stadium have also been found missing. Following the incident, two cases have been registered against the thieves at Gulberg police station.
The incident has happened amidst the uncertainty over the PSL matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi due to the ongoing tussle between PCB and interim Punjab government over security expenses. Both the parties have hit a roadblock in the financial dispute.
People stole CCTV camera equipment for PSL from Gaddafi Stadium ?♂️ pic.twitter.com/J32yXm8hRM
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) February 26, 2023
The matches could reportedly move to Karachi in the Sindh province from next week if the PCB and the government fail to strike a deal soon. The board is contemplating shifting the PSL games after receiving a bill of PKR500 million from the government.
According to reports in Pakistani media, the PCB has already paid PKR50 million for food and beverages to the Punjab government. However, the provincial government has asked for the remaining PKR450 million at the earliest from the cricket body. On the other hand, the Sindh government does not charge anything from the PCB to host PSL matches in Karachi.
Rawalpindi has been given the hosting rights of most (11) matches this season. On the other hand, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is scheduled to host the playoffs and final of PSL 2023.