Fact Check: Is the image of a picturesque stadium from Balochistan

Images have gone viral on the internet claiming that a picturesque cricket stadium is located in Balochistan. However, is that the truth

New Delhi, Feb 14: A picture of a very attractive looking cricket stadium has been doing the rounds on the social media.

Those sharing the image have claimed that this stadium was built in Balochistan, Pakistan. "The most attractive cricket stadium of Balochistan, Pakistan one should visit and see the natural beauty of Gawader," the user said while sharing the image. The image has been shared by several other users with the same claim. Gawader or Gwadar is a port city in Pakistan and is located on the southwestern coast of Balochistan.

"The Gwadar #cricket stadium in Balochistan, Pakistan, has one of the most stunning backdrops in the world. Why not #PSL2023 matches here at #Gwadar," said another user. The PSL of Pakistan Cricket League is a professional Twenty20 League in Pakistan.

OneIndia has learnt that there is a cricket stadium in Gwadar, but it does not look anything like the one seen in the pictures. We also found that the stadium in the image is not real, but a concept art designed by a Mumbai-based architecture firm.

While searching on Google, we came across the image of the concept stadium on this website. Titled "Ar. Prem Nath - Prem Nath & Associates," we found the exact picture of the stadium. However in this image the stadium is not surrounded by cliffs as can be seen in the viral image.

Architect Prem Nath & Associates is a Mumbai based-complete design organisation which was established in 1967. The firm has professional practice in architecture and interior designing and has been offering engineering services all over India for the past 50 plus years.

We also searched for the images of the cricket stadium in Balochistan and came across a post by the International Cricket Council (ICC). "Show us a more picturesque sports venue than the Gwadar cricket stadium in Balochistan. Pakistan," the ICC had said in a post while sharing the image.

Hence it is clear that the image being shared with the claim that the stadium is located in Balochistan is wrong. The Facebook post by the ICC which shows the stadium in Balochistan is nothing like the one being shared by several users on the social media.