The Pakistan Cricket Board is all set to hold Pakistan Super League (PSL) final match in the port city of Karachi on Sunday 25 March. All necessary arrangements in this regard have been finalized. Good news for cricket fans is that three important matches would be played on Pakistani soil this time, two Eliminators in Lahore and the final in Karachi. According to schedule issued by Pakistan Cricket Board, these games will be played on March 20, 21 and 25 respectively.
“Last time, there was just one game played in Pakistan during the PSL – the final was held in Lahore – but this year will see three matches hosted in the country which should send the fans in raptures”, a press release issued by the PCB said adding that teams will play twice against each other before the top four teams qualify for the play-off stage.
For cricket loving nation like Pakistan return of international cricket in the country after a hiatus of several years is no doubt a big achievement but a lot more is needed to win the confidence of international players that was badly shaken by the dreaded terrorist attack on Sri-Lankan team in Lahore way back in 2009.
There are also encouraging reports about the return of full-time cricket in the country as PCB chairman Najam Sethi had confirmed that West Indies will be touring Pakistan towards the end of March for a three-match T20I series in Lahore. Now that the international teams have show their willingness to play in Pakistan and cricket fans are desperately waiting to see their favourite players playing on Pakistani grounds all across the country one hopes that the people at the helm of affairs would leave no stone unturned in making it a success.
As certain enemies of Pakistan are hell bent on to ruin the cricket industry and restrain the restoration of international cricket there is a dire need to be extra vigilant. It is equally important that ahead of hosting such international events the provincial governments as well as the national security apparatus should do necessary groundwork and take all possible measures to thwart recurrence of dastardly attacks similar to that of Lahore, which casted a long dark shadow over hosting of international sports events in the country.
