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Karachi to host all 8 matches of PSL's Pakistan leg: PCB
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that all three matches of the Pakistan Super League 2019 which were to be staged in Lahore will now be held in Karachi.
A PCB press release said that the matches which were scheduled to be held in Lahore were moved to Karachi due to logistical and operational challenges posed by the "delayed opening of Lahore airspace for commercial flights".
The press release stated that some of the key challenges the PCB faced due to the airspace issue included "securing production equipment and the commitment of broadcast crew, as well as finalising the logistics for the officials and teams."
All eight matches in the Pakistan leg of the tournament will be played at National Stadium from March 9-17, the press release said.
PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said, "Due to the recent and prevailing uncertainty, we felt it critical to make a decisive decision at this juncture." He regretted that that the "headquarters of Pakistan cricket will be unable to host the PSL matches in 2019 due to no fault of the PCB".
"This has been a difficult and tough decision, which has been taken following discussion and consultation with all the franchisees and service providers to ensure certainty and clarity on the event, as well as delivery of the remaining matches," the statement quoted Mani as saying.
The PCB chief said the body had considered shifting the dates of the Pakistan matches, but it was not possible since the green shirts are slated to leave for the United Arab Emirates on March 19 to play a One Day International series against Australia.
"We also looked at swapping matches between Lahore and Karachi, but paucity of time would have rendered this option unworkable," he added.
Mani stated that all franchisees had backed the decision and reinforced that "all their foreign players will feature in the last eight matches" of the PSL.
Revised match schedule:
Saturday, 9 March – Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United (7pm)
Sunday, 10 March – Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators (7pm)
Monday, 11 March – Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans (2pm); Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi (7pm)
Wednesday, 13 March – Qualifier (1 v 2) (7pm)
Thursday, 14 March – Eliminator 1 (3 v 4) (7pm)
Friday, 15 March – Eliminator 2 (7pm)
Sunday, 17 March – Final (7pm)
Comments (22) Closed
Very bad decision. Collection will go down. Better play everywhere and build confidence.
Bad, very very very bad.
Sad news for cricket lovers of Lahore, Should have consulted with Govt to give special permission for Team and crew for landing on Lahore Airport.
Good decision... Be safe!
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
No problem where ever you wan't we are ready
Feel bad for Lahoris, I am sure they are heart broken at not being able to watch PSL live, especially the Qalandars! Hope those who bought tickets get their money back.
Those who bought tickets for Karachi games are very confused right now because it is not clear what match they will get to see since the dates have now been shuffled.
I wish all the best fo Pakistan Cricket and I hope I could soon watch the international matches going on between leading cricket nations
No problem as long as its in Pakistan
Doesn't matter wherever the matches are held as long as they are in Pakistan. I hope Lahoris will understand and not object to this decision.
In Lahore. Will be coming to Khi for the finals. Absolutely thrilled.
Lahoris buy tickets. Sheikh Rashid arrange special trains for lahoris to travel to Karachi. Double the fun Good business as well.
Job apply
lahoris can visit Karachi and watch the matches .. what matters is PSL in Pakistan
I was really looking forward to seeing Lahore Qalandars playing in Lahore which would have been so fun. Good luck to Karachi people.
Exact location of the remaining eight and the most important 2019 PSL matches is irrelevant as long as they are held on the greenshirts soil of the "Land of the Pure."
Is that Pakistan leg or Pakistan league??
Not sure people think it is bad? Karachi will provide adequate se unity and stadium will be full of people.
@Philosopher (From Japan), this is english man leg here means portion or session.
@QN, you dont worry stadium will be full and secure.
These people don't seem to know how to run a business.....
Any foreign playing coming to a Pakistan?
I am glad PCB and government were able to make this decision. Will the Karachi Stadium be ready?