PSL-5 matches to be spread to Lahore, Karachi, Multan & Rawalpindi as team owners agree to stage entire PSL in Pakistan
All PSL franchises have affirmed their commitment to playing all PSL matches in Pakistan, with Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Rawalpindi being considered as venues for the 34 games of the fifth edition of the competition in 2020.
All PSL franchises have affirmed their commitment to playing all PSL matches in Pakistan, with Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Rawalpindi being considered as venues for the 34 games of the fifth edition of the competition in 2020.
The UAE still remains a back-up venue.
But the biggest hurdle remains the availability of foreign players,who have to be convinced to stay in Pakistan for the entire duration of the league. PCB chairman Ehsan Mani held an informal meeting with the owners and discussed the pros and cons of holding all matches in Pakistan.
The owners, it is learnt, have expressed reservations as how to convince the foreigner cricketers and make stay in Pakistan. However, it was agreed that both the PCB and the owners would move jointly to convince maximum numbers of overseas cricketers to come and play in the league.
It may be mentioned that in the last edition PCB successfully staged eight matches in Karachi in which a good number of foreign cricketers and the staff of the broadcaster stayed in the city. That experience would help a lot in convincing the foreigner players to make themselves available for the fifth edition.
Meanwhile, another massive task for the PCB to hold the PSL matches in Pakistan is the challenge of upgrading the stadium in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan. At present only Gaddafi Stadiumin Lahore and National Stadium in Karachi are in position to host the matches under international atmosphere.
The Lahore is likely to host 13 games, with the tournament starting on February 20 in Karachi. Multan last hosted international cricket in 2008, but is thought to be ready to host the PSL.
Rawalpindi last hosted an international match in 2006, but it is undergoing renovation and is likely to be ready for PSL matches. The PCB considers the PSL the path towards restoration of international cricket in Pakistan. The 2017 PSL final was held at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Then there were four games in the 2018 edition across Karachi and Lahore.
Earlier this year, the final eight games were scheduled to be played in Lahore and Karachi, but eventually all were played in the port city because of political tensions with India.
The final in 2017 paved the way for an ICC-approved World XI to tour Pakistan for three T20Is. West Indies and Sri Lanka have also toured the country to play T20I cricket, although both sent weak sides.
Zimbabwe visited Pakistan in 2015 for three ODIs and two T20Is, becoming the first to tour Pakistan since the 2009 attack on Sri Lankan team bus. Most of the international stars have been reluctant to tour Pakistan.
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