PSL 2019: Karachi set to host five matches in the tournament

The fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to get underway on Thursday, February 22 with the contest between Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans. The event has been a witness to three riveting seasons, but most of the matches have taken place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as some foreign players are reluctant to travel Pakistan owing to security concerns.

However, the authorities are trying their hearts out to bring the entire PSL to Pakistan. The whole of the inaugural edition was staged in the UAE, but the second season saw the final being hosted by Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. In the third season, three matches were being played in Pakistan, all of them coming in the playoffs. That time even Karachi hosted a couple of encounters.

We are focusing on PSL

Nevertheless, next time around, as many as eight matches will be played in Pakistan and the same was mentioned by newly appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani. In the meantime, the chief also told that the iconic National Stadium in Karachi will play host to five encounters, one of which will be the tournament final.

“We are focusing on PSL. Karachi will host five matches including the final and we will bring more international players to Pakistan in this season. When foreign coaches and other cricket officials come here they go back happily. So it would be a great help for us in changing the perception of foreign nations about Pakistan when we are able to bring in more people here,” Mani mentioned.

The draft for the forthcoming season earlier took place on Tuesday, November 20 in Islamabad. A number of prominent names including the likes of Sunil Narine and AB de Villiers were picked up. A few teams also changed their skipper. Islamabad United are the defending champions as they beat Peshawar Zalmi in the final in Lahore.

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