KARACHI: On Wednesday, newly appointed head curator Tony Hemming made a visit to the National Bank Stadium. Hemming, now leading the efforts to enhance pitch quality for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), engaged in thorough discussions with the stadium’s ground staff to assess and strategize improvements for the pitches and outfield.
Tony Hemming, an Australian, was appointed last week on a two-year contract with the PCB. His immediate responsibilities include preparing the playing surfaces for Pakistan’s forthcoming home Test matches, pivotal to the ICC World Test Championship.
Pakistan’s cricket team is set to host Bangladesh for two Test matches in August and September, followed by a three-match Test series against England in October. Hemming’s role extends to supervising pitch preparations for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.
With an extensive career spanning nearly four decades, Hemming is a distinguished figure in cricket pitch management. His experience includes tenures at prestigious venues across Australia such as Melbourne, Perth, and Tasmania. He has also brought his expertise to international grounds in Bangladesh, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Hemming served as the ICC’s Head Curator in Dubai from 2007 to 2017, during which he managed the pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a key venue for Pakistan’s home games from 2009 to 2019.
Before his engagement with the PCB, Hemming worked with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) since July 2023, contributing his vast knowledge and skills to their cricket infrastructure.
In his new role, Hemming is expected to leverage his rich experience to ensure optimal pitch conditions for upcoming international fixtures, bolstering Pakistan’s cricketing reputation on the global stage.
