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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi on Friday said the cricketing body had gotten the go-ahead to hold half of all matches in the next Pakistan Super League (PSL) series in Karachi and Lahore.
Speaking to reporters at Karachi's National Stadium, Sethi said: "In the fourth PSL series, we want double-weekend matches," explaining that on Thursday and Friday, matches would be held in the United Arab Emirates, whereas teams would play in Pakistan on Saturday and Sunday.
He said it was not possible for Pakistan to host any more foreign teams this year after the March 25 PSL final in Karachi as all the national team's scheduled matches and series would be held abroad.
"The PSL final is happening in Karachi. After that, we have the West Indies series. After that, we have no more space. We're going abroad to play, but along with this we are trying to find a window in August or September to play five to seven matches with the West Indies and Bangladesh in Houston and Florida. But that hasn't been finalised as yet," he added.
"We are exploring [our options] but we don't have space for a foreign team to visit. There are some teams that are ready [to play in Pakistan]. I won't name them, but they have said they are ready so we will plan for next year. We want a top-level team, and not just three to four matches but a whole series."
The time is not right as yet, he said, explaining that stadiums must be prepared beforehand and nationwide security has to be top class before it can happen. He said that stadiums will also be built in Islamabad and Peshawar.
"We are hopeful there will be more PSL in Pakistan," he added.
Sethi said he was looking forward to the final. "One of the teams [Islamabad United] won the first championship, the other [Peshawar Zalmi], the second championship. Let's see who wins the third round," he said. "Whoever wins, it will ultimately be a win for Pakistan."
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On DawnNews
Mar 23, 2018 04:09pm
Why just Lahore and Karachi? Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad are not in Pakistan?
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Mar 23, 2018 04:13pm
Good job Sethi sahb
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Mar 23, 2018 04:25pm
as a cricket enthusiast I will love to see cricket in Pakistan flourishing....
For that PSL matches have to be played in Pakistan. Not one two or three matches but all the 34 matches at different grounds.
PSL should make it clear to all players before hand.
I am sure most senior player may not come but start with a few B+ or B class players run it smoothly and next year go for A class players.
Present situation, where senior players refuse to come to Pakistan is creating negative effect.
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Mar 23, 2018 04:34pm
Playing Bangladesh needs more thinking, learn from past from Bangla Board.
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Mar 23, 2018 04:34pm
slow and steady wins the race
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Mar 23, 2018 05:00pm
@Ahmad , Multan has a world class stadium hence it will host matches in PSL4 but Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Quetta and other bigger cities need to revamp their stadiums to host PSL and international matches. Even Faisalabad stadium isn't fit for any top level match without a substantial stadium upgrade.
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Mar 23, 2018 05:16pm
Gate money is the main reason behind the decission of organizing the PSL matches in
Lahore and Karachi. After all money is important and PCB will not be able to generate that much money from Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Mulan, or Hyderabad .
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Mar 23, 2018 05:17pm
@Ahmad
Have you seen the condition of Hyderabad cricket ground and the surrounding areas.
My nine year old grandson plays in better conditions hear in the UK.
We have to get the grounds and settings modernised. There is a lot of work to do, but we are going in the right direction
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Mar 23, 2018 05:22pm
Well done we will have enjoyed
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Mar 23, 2018 05:54pm
@Ahmad: I agree. If some of the stadiums needs renovation. Then do it. Every part of Pakistan is equally important.
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Mar 23, 2018 05:58pm
Thank you Mr. Sethi for bringing back international cricket to Pakistan. Hopefully the security situation will become better in the coming years to hold matches in other cities as well.
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Mar 23, 2018 05:58pm
No point having PSL 5 unless ALL matches are to be held in Pakistan.
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Mar 23, 2018 06:00pm
@Ahmad Be patient, time will surely come :)
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Mar 23, 2018 06:09pm
Why not full? Come on be bold Sethi.
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Mar 23, 2018 06:26pm
It would be odd for the league to hold more than half the matches outside Pakistan. It's about the money really. The players salaries must be paid. Many tickets can be sold in large stadiums. Small stadiums are not economically viable.
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Mar 23, 2018 06:30pm
Why just half PSL matches in Pakistan.I think it is about time the cricket comes home to Pakistan.Matches can be hosted in other cities as well
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Mar 23, 2018 07:06pm
@Shakeel Ahmed It is too early to bring full PSL back in Pakistan. Only Lahore and Karachi grounds are revamped and able to play international standard matches. PCB needs to renovate Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan grounds. It will take 1 or 2 years. For the next year we can have half PSL matches and with that we can renovate all of our grounds and then in 2020 or 2021, we can bring the whole PSL back to Pakistan. Slow and steady. Don't rush it.
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Mar 23, 2018 07:33pm
Slow and study wins the race.
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Mar 23, 2018 07:35pm
A national league needs to play in their home and away stadiums to lift the fan spirit. If foreign players can not come to Pakistan, play with local players. It will help Pakistan cricket in long term. Also, a successful series held only in Pakistan will bring confidence to foreign players also.
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Mar 23, 2018 08:20pm
Why only half series, why not plan to play full series in pakistan
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Mar 23, 2018 08:20pm
Najm Sethi has done a fantastic job for the revival of cricket in Pakistan.
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Mar 23, 2018 08:21pm
@Ahmad Some people are just never happy.
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Mar 23, 2018 09:00pm
Under Sethi, PSL and PCB has done well. He is bold in many decisions while balanced in a few. Good approach.
Next govt should continue to work with him till he has built a strong PCB and able to create future leadership. A good cricketer does not mean a good CEO.
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Mar 23, 2018 11:18pm
My two cents. It is great news but does that mean business will be shutdown, roads closed and movement restricted to make it more of curse for the local economy rather than a boost. Local businesses are reeling from the two day closure due to the recent PSL matches in Lahore. If as being planned half the matches are to be held in Lahore then security measures will have to be reworked otherwise it will wreck the local economy.
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Mar 23, 2018 11:29pm
If one match in Karachi is costing us so much on security, how much holding of half the matches of PSL will cost and how can the already cash starved PCB afford it?
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Mar 24, 2018 01:32am
@Ahmad what did you read in this article dude !
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Mar 24, 2018 01:46am
Let's hope that foreign players don't back out like this time
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Mar 24, 2018 02:00am
Hopefully you won’t be PCB chairman next years. We will have right person at the right place to perform this job. Can’t wait for elections :)
Still i am confused what is your qualification to be a cricket board chairman.
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Mar 24, 2018 03:09am
under the hot and humid conditions, the new ball will not swing in islamabad, only lahore and karachi with one city having lot of water and other near the sea is capable to provide swing.therefore nazam saab is right
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Mar 24, 2018 04:20am
I am a die hard fan of cricket. But what is the point of holding PSL matches in Pakistan if international players are not willing to come despite being offered VVIP protocol and security? The cities of Lahore and now Karachi are in virtual lock down. Motorists have to spend long hours wasting precious work time and billions of rupees to the economy. Sick people can not reach hospitals because ambulances can not find their way. With all these happening are we not telling the world that we have far from normal conditions for holding cricket matches. Who are we deceiving except ourselves. There is a time and place for everything. Cricket can take a back seat for now.
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Mar 24, 2018 04:43am
Thus has to be the most fortified stadium in the history of mankind. Is the irony of the situation lost on anyone concerned!
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Mar 24, 2018 05:51am
Exactly the same thing was said after PSL2 that most of the matches for PSL3 will be held in Pakistan.
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Mar 24, 2018 07:06am
Very good decision to host almost 50% matches in Pakistan. May be the auction process should be held again so that only those players who are willing to play in Pakistan remain in squads. No baggage. But the wish to have series with high profile members is too brave as second grade players or retired players were unwilling. I don’t see teams other than West Indies and Bangladesh coming. Doubt the top teams like Australia, England, India, SAF or New Zealand would agree to play even a short ODI or T20 series yet because of the security issue.
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Mar 24, 2018 07:58am
@Ahmad Because as he explained the security situation may not be top-notch or conducive to hold matches in those cities.....
Also some need better infrastructure - are we there yet....don’t think so.
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Mar 24, 2018 11:44am
@Ahmad Hyderabad and Faisalabad don't have teams yet, so quetta and peshawar should take preference.
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