Restoration of International cricket in Karachi, second step for revival: Najam Sethi

The mastermind behind the restoration of International cricket in Pakistan, the lynchpin of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi, believes the second step for complete restoration in bringing back cricket in Karachi after Lahore.

Sethi claims that the process will be implemented step by step. If reports are to be believed in, the stepping stone for bringing back cricket in Karachi has already been founded.

“The process of restoration of international cricket in Pakistan is a matter of one step after another. We have now taken first steps for Karachi by stadium renovation and making a security plan, and getting it approved by an international security expert,” stated Najam Sethi while speaking to Geo.Tv.

PCB officials met with foreign security expert and security consultant of FICA and other cricket boards, Reg Dickason, to discuss security arrangements for matches in the megapolis.

Karachi to host 2-4 matches next season of PSL

The board plans to schedule as many as two to four matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) next season. Therefore, the necessary arrangements are being made for the same. Dickason met with IG police and CM Sindh. He also visited Karachi’s National Stadium to inspect the facilities at the venue. According to Sethi, the next step for the revival of cricket in Karachi is persuading foreign players.

“Now we will start the process of persuading foreign players,” added Sethi. Earlier in this year, PCB successfully hosted the finals of the PSL at Lahore where it saw players such as Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, David Malan and Chris Jordan feature in it.

The security arrangements made at the Gaddafi Stadium convinced ICC officials to send the star-studded World XI side in Pakistan for a 3-match T20I series back in September. Pakistan is also scheduled to host Sri Lanka and West Indies later this year in a T20I series. Experts believe that success in holding PSL matches in Karachi will help PCB bring more cricket to Pakistan.