Daily Times

KARACHI: Hopes of having a full Pakistan Super League (PSL) fourth edition in the country have ended as the franchises and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have decided against the idea in a high-profile meeting. The idea was floated by the board officials due to an increase of T20 leagues being hosted in the United Arab Emirates, who are set to host Emirates and Afghanistan’s T20 league along with a T10 league between September 2018 and January 2019. However, contrary to earlier reports in the media, both franchises and board officials decided against hosting the full PSL4 in Pakistan after it was agreed that the law and order situation is not yet viable enough to organise a month-long event.

The lack of infrastructure in the country was another reason why the PCB’s proposal was shot down. Not all stadiums are fully ready to host PSL matches at present, with several needing extensive renovations. Size of the seating area is also an issue in certain stadiums, particularly Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. Multan is a potentially viable venue, but arrangements to stay overnight in the city aren’t quite up to the mark just yet. In a surprise move, the Muzaffarabad Stadium in Kashmir is being explored as a venue, in which case teams would likely have to be flown in and out via helicopter.

However, eight PSL matches are set to be played in Pakistan next year, according to PCB chairman Najam Sethi. The PCB has also reached a deal with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and retained the UAE as the venue for their home season. The ECB will avoid overlapping other tournaments with Pakistan’s home series, and agreed to keep the PSL free of other cricket in the country. In addition, no cricket will be played in the country for at least six weeks before the PSL starts.

Pakistan are also due to host New Zealand and Australia later this year. The schedule for the series has been organised in a way it avoids clashing with the Afghanistan T20 league and Emirates T20 league in the season, both of which are scheduled to be held in the UAE. During the meeting, franchises also expressed to the PCB their willingness to construct a 200-room hotel inside the premises of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the Multan Cricket Stadium. To evaluate the offer, the PCB referred the matter to a committee who will look into the details.

Published in Daily Times, June 14^th 2018.