PSL 2018 Matches in Pakistan: Karachi and Lahore selected venues (Details)

PSL 2018 is believed to be bigger and better and than its prequel and the biggest proof for all this is dozens of star cricketers enrolling them for the Pakistan Super League 2018. The PSL 2018 Drafts are days away from taking place and here we have some big news for the Pakistan Cricket fans.  According to recently designated Chairman PCB Najam Sethi, he will be arranging several matches of PSL 2018 in Pakistan. And the most exciting thing out there is Lahore won’t be the only venue as this time Karachi will also be hosting some of the matches of PSL.

It will be pertinent to mention here that after the final of PSL 2017 was hosted in Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Sethi vowed to revive international cricket in Pakistan. At the same time, he also told that if things remain peaceful, the next PSL edition will have some of its matches in Pakistan.

With PSL 2017 final in Pakistan, cricket came back home for Green Shirts as recently World XI also visited Lahore for the 3-Match T20 series. The word of mouth worked superbly to spread the word that Pakistan is safe enough to host the international cricket now Sri Lankan cricket team is also set to visit Lahore to play a T20 match.

For a while, Karchiites look disappointed as all the international matches were just limited to Lahore. So finally, Najam Sethi had something to joy for Karachi as he has announced maximum of 4 matches or at least one match at National Stadium, Karachi, and that all will be depending on the conditions around during PSL.

Chairman PCB, Najam Sethi

Through his official Twitter handler chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board kept updated about his efforts to make some of PSL 2018 matches here in Karachi.

I am meeting Sindh CM tomorrow to start preparations for PSL matches in Karachi. Wish me luck!

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) October 16, 2017

I have to convince Sindh CM/Rangers to provide security, foreign players, ICC Security firm, & Nespak to fix NAK in 4 months. Wish me luck!

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) October 17, 2017

Finally, with checking out with government authorities, and making a close examination of the conditions around, Sethi finally came up with the big news for the cricket fans. Especially, this news would work out as a fresh breeze for the cricketing fans out there in Karachi as with cricket coming home, they weren’t able to see any of the encounters at National Stadium, Karachi.

PSL 2018 Matches in Karachi and Lahore

“The best-case scenario is that four PSL matches will be held in Karachi and three will be held in Lahore,” Najam Sethi told during a press briefing on Wednesday. “However, the worst-case scenario is that one match will be held in Karachi. It depends on the security situation,” he said.

“I have met Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and discussed Karachi’s security situation with him. We are working on a plan,” he told. It will be relevant to mention here that Sethi met CM Sindh and other stakeholders and with getting the green signals around, he has revealed the plan of holding PSL 2018 matches in Pakistan.

During the press conference, PCB chairman also told about the challenges they are facing for matches to be held here in Karachi.

“Our bigger concern at this moment is to make sure the stadium is ready in time for PSL3. That needs to happen so that we can start convincing players to come to Karachi for a few matches.”

“The stadium will be renovated in two phases. We are looking to complete the first phase in the next four months, in time for PSL 3. The long-term plan, which will take a-year-and-a-half and will cost around Rs1.5 billion,” Sethi further added.

While heading towards the end of his press briefing Sethi also admitted about Karachi not getting international matches for the while. “I admit that this centre is more important than the one in Lahore and I believe the creation of it has already been delayed by 10 years.” PCB Chief said.