PSL 2022 will be staged in Pakistan in front of fans, assures Ehsan Mani

The sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) ended on June 24 with Multan Sultans being crowned as champions. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani was impressed by the event staff and six teams that pulled off the event with great success in the UAE. Mani though felt crowds being absent from the stadium was the only major problem in the second half of the PSL 2021.

The first half of the six-team tournament was played in Pakistan with crowds being allowed to watch the action from the stadium in Karachi. The PSL was then shifted to Abu Dhabi and the UAE government didn’t let the crowds in Sheikh Zayed Stadium due to COVID-19 restrictions. With the change of venue, the Sultans turned a corner and came back from a point of no return, to beat four-time finalists Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs to end the tournament on a high.

It was a collective team effort for Sultans with as many as four players walking away with individual awards. Under Mohammad Rizwan, the team delivered in crunch situations and backed their senior players like Sohail Tanveer and Shan Masood to the hilt.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said, “Fans are the essence and spirit of any sport. Without them, no event can be completely successful. The presence of the fans was missed by the PCB, players, and all commercial partners, but the remaining 20 matches in Abu Dhabi were staged in unusual times and difficult circumstances, as reported by Cricket Pakistan.

Ehsan Mani optimistic about crowds returning in PSL 2022

Mani also promised to conduct the seventh edition of PSL in Pakistan with crowds being allowed to watch their favorite players. The administrator firmly believes crowds form an integral part of PSL and without their support, the tournament will be incomplete.

“I assure the passionate Pakistan cricket supporters that the next edition of Pakistan Super League in 2022 will be staged in Pakistan and in front of our people. Planning for next year’s event will start as early as July and by the final quarter of the year, I am hopeful that we may be able to share complete details with our fans so that they can start planning to attend the gathering of some of the most accomplished cricketers at one of the most followed cricket league tournaments.