Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Sign MoU for Jeddah International Cricket Stadium

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly build an international cricket stadium in Jeddah—a move that could reshape how the sport takes root across the Arabian Peninsula. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, and Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Mohammad Al Saud, who leads the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, signed the deal in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The agreement itself is straightforward: both countries will work together on infrastructure, technical expertise, venue design, and how the stadium operates day-to-day. The facility will include playing surfaces, broadcast and media facilities, hospitality areas, training grounds, and spectator services. The partnership goes beyond construction, too—it covers cricket competitions, technical and development programmes, and sharing of expertise between the two nations.

Saudi Arabia’s cricket history is newer than many might assume. Expatriates from Pakistan and India first brought the sport to the country in the early 1960s. The nation joined the International Cricket Council as an affiliate member in 2003, moving up to associate membership thirteen years later in 2016. The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation itself only came into being in 2020.

For Riyadh, the stadium represents more than just a venue. It’s a way to host international matches and major sporting events while building sports investment, attracting sports tourism, and strengthening community ties—all cornerstones of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programme.