PCB ready to host the whole of PSL 5 in Pakistan

It was a decade back that Pakistan’s image as a host to international games had received a terrible blow. In March 2009, the visiting national team of Sri Lanka was targeted by terrorists and they had a close shave. International teams refused to tour Pakistan after that incident and in 2011, Pakistan hosted no game of the World Cup even though it was held in the subcontinent. A few teams like Zimbabwe and West Indies went for short series while Pakistan played at the venues in the United Arab Emirates as their home ground.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL), their domestic T20 tournament was also played in the UAE. Although over the last few editions, the business end of the tournament is being held in the country. International players have made regular visits to Pakistan because of the PSL and they felt that the country should soon start hosting more matches. On Friday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made an announcement that it has an intention to host all games of the PSL’s fifth edition in the country.

PCB trying to convince other teams to visit

Making the announcement, PCB chairperson Ehsan Mani said four venues – Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Rawalpindi – had been shortlisted for the games of the T20 tournament. He also expressed hope that teams like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will tour Pakistan this year which will also see the inauguration of the ICC Test Championship.

Mani, a former president of the ICC, also said that heads of Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board will be visiting Pakistan this year, Geo.TV reported. Pakistan have also got the hosting rights of the Asia Cup 2020 although it could be held in the UAE as well since India would not want to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.

Pakistan had last hosted a multi-side international tournament in 2008 when the Asia Cup was organized on their soil. Sri Lanka had won that tournament defeating India in the final. The last time Pakistan hosted a World Cup game was in 1996 when the final of the tournament was held in Lahore. Sri Lanka were the winners on that occasion as well.