"Hopefully, we can shift the PSL fully to Pakistan next year" : Najam Sethi

[MenInG]

www.sportstarlive.com/cricket/pcb-c...pakistan-bilateral-series/article22783647.ece

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi, in an interview to Sportstar on Saturday, has ended weeks of speculation and has confirmed that the Board is looking at Malaysia as an alternate venue to Dubai.

Sethi, who loves speaking his mind, also hoped that the Indian government will soon "see the wisdom of not playing politics with the game that both Indians and Pakistanis love".


With another edition of the Pakistan Super League coming up, what is the PCB expecting from the league?

PSL 3 with six teams is going to be bigger and better than ever. With more top foreign players, more matches, (there would be) more revenues. A final in Karachi is the icing on the cake. It will pave the way for the return of international players and cricket to Pakistan.


What measures would the Board take to ensure that there are no controversies hovering around the PSL this time around?

There was only one hiccup last year (the spot-fixing allegations) at the start of the tournament. (There would be) no controversies at all because we nipped the evil in the bud and the culprits (Khalid Latif, Sharjeel Khan) have been banned for five years. That will be a deterrent this year. Plus, there will be an enhanced cooperation between the Anti-Corruption Units (ACU) of ICC and PCB on the ground.


There is a buzz that the PCB is planning to look beyond Dubai as its home venue. How true is that?

We are going to check out Malaysia as an alternative back up venue.


Why such a decision? What makes you zero in on Malaysia?

It is because the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is planning to host a couple of leagues whose schedules may pose a conflict of interest with our Future Tour Programmes (FTP) and PSL.


What would Pakistan’s stand be on the 2021 Champions Trophy? There were reports that PCB is keen on hosting the tournament in case India misses out...

The BCCI and PCB have issues. We are before the Dispute Resolution Committee of the ICC. Also the ICC will shift its tournaments from India if the government doesn’t exempt it from tax. If that comes to pass, I am sure the Pakistan government will exempt ICC fixtures in Pakistan from tax in order to facilitate the return of international cricket to the country. But it is premature to speculate about the ICC options ahead.


After looking at the first draft of the proposed FTP, the PCB took a stance against it in the likely scenario that India’s matches are not added to the schedule. What is the stance now?

The PCB has signed the FTP subject to the outcome of the dispute before the ICC.


Recently, the international hockey federation has stated that Pakistan will be invited to play in India for the World Cup later this year. But in cricket, the situation still remains gloomy. What are your thoughts on it?

The ball is in the court of the Indian government. It is reportedly stopping the BCCI from honouring its contract with PCB to start bilateral cricket. We shall review our options as the situation unfolds.


Being the PCB chief, do you see a realistic chance of an India-Pakistan bilateral series anytime soon?

I am confident that sooner rather than later the Indian government will see the wisdom of not playing politics with the game that both Indians and Pakistanis love.

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http://www.sportstarlive.com/cricke...lly-in-pakistan-next-year/article22785209.ece

The terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 had left a deep scar on Pakistan cricket. With the teams refusing to tour the country, international cricket had come to a halt forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to shift its home venue to the United Arab Emirates.

While that move helped Pakistan maintain its international commitments, the fans and the local cricketers had nothing to look forward to.

Though after seven years, Zimbabwe toured Pakistan in 2016, it failed to create much buzz. Even the first edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was held in the UAE.

But things changed last year, when the final of the second edition of the PSL was held in Lahore. With fans showing huge support, the final was a huge success and taking cue from that, even the ICC World XI played an exhibition series against Pakistan last year.

This year as the PSL gets ready for its third edition, Lahore will be hosting two of the knockout games, followed by the final in Karachi.

Talking to Sportstar on Saturday, PCB chairman, Najam Sethi, admitted that the Board is now planning to host the entire PSL in Pakistan next year. “Hopefully, we can shift the PSL fully to Pakistan next year. That will pave the way for a full series in Pakistan by a top team,” Sethi said.

The seasoned administrator also confirmed that after this year’s PSL, the West Indies will play a three-match T20 series in Pakistan, starting from March 29. “The PSL will be followed by three T20s in Lahore by the West Indies. I hope to attract other teams to Pakistan in the next year or so,” Sethi added.

PCB, which is also planning to shift its second home ground from the UAE to Malaysia, is confident that with international teams and players agreeing to tour the country, big ticket cricket series would soon return to Pakistan.

http://www.sportstarlive.com/cricke...lly-in-pakistan-next-year/article22785209.ece

 

[Abdullah719]

That should be the goal but next season might be too soon. Regardless, it's something worth targeting.

 

[MMHS]

That shouldn't be a possibility BUT a MUST. PCB should declare prior to draft that next PSL will be played in PAK with 4/5 venues (Peshawar should be based at Faisalabad & Quetta at Karachi or Hyderabad - those 2 Cities are not ready yet), REGARDLESS of what whatever FICA or other jokers declare about the security - whoever there after wants to come, welcome - otherwise don't bother to register.

If required. PCB can reduce the quota of foreign players - it's ridiculous to pay 5X times to "foreign" players of such quality, when their equivalent is available at home, and then pamper them to come in PAK under VIP security!!!!! Obviously PAK Govt. has to perform better than last time, but that risk will be there even in 2050 - in fact, this world will never be like that 1970s or 80s again (in terms of security).

May be, first year it'll be only Asian players and may be Muslim players from SAF, ENG, ZIM ... but if PAK can manage it "incident" free, next year more players will come - now, it's up to PCB & PAK Govt. to make it incident free. PCB has to take a firm call here - they can't force International teams, but PSL is the opportunity, otherwise in 2035 still PCB will be expecting things to improve. Couple of years back, this was my comments as well - 1st 2 years in UAE to build the brand, by 3rd/4th year major games, drafts etc in PAK, 4th/5th year entire PSL in PAK. With International tours happening, I think situation is better than 2 years back - so 4th year should be the target. May be, for 1st couple of years, quality will go down a bit (though I doubt, looking at the foreign recruits), but that little risk PCB has to take.

 

[DRsohail]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] i hope and expect that Sethi will do it,Although i do not him for many reasons but the man is excellent in such sort of things u mentioned and he will do it.

 

[ipl_fan]

How come there is a Najam Sethi statement every single day ?? I don't see this happening with any sports body around the world. Every single day.

 

[Hitman]

PSL till date has not even reached 50% of it's potential (whatever it is) simply because of not being held in Pakistan. But will all the foreign players agree to visit Pakistan for a full session of PSL?

 

[UN talkz]

I wonder if Najam Sethi becomes PM of Pakistan his first speech will be " Hopefully we can shift whole Kashmir into Pakistan by 2019".

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

It is possible if you accept the fact that you will only have B or C class foreign players participating.

In the end it is the PCB's choice in whatever they prefer.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

It is possible if you accept the fact that you will only have B or C class foreign players participating.

In the end it is the PCB's choice in whatever they prefer.

You have to start somewhere..

Fans have to be patient and sacrifice one version or another for the sake of the PSL reaching its 100% potential.

Even if we have low quality foreign players (sort of like bbl) our legends like Wasim,Waqar,Inzi,Afridi,Razzaq and our current stars coupled with some good quality games and good broadcasters and commentary are enough to catch the attention of fans for a while till we can convince other players to come.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

You have to start somewhere..

Fans have to be patient and sacrifice one version or another for the sake of the PSL reaching its 100% potential.

Even if we have low quality foreign players (sort of like bbl) our legends like Wasim,Waqar,Inzi,Afridi,Razzaq and our current stars coupled with some good quality games and good broadcasters and commentary are enough to catch the attention of fans for a while till we can convince other players to come.

That's true and it is not as if the best players are participating in the current edition. There are maybe only 2 or 3 top class players max. The rest are either t20 mercenaries or not a regular for their national team.

Guys like Sammy, McCullum, Samuels, Perera would be there anyway.

 

[TeymurBlake]

PSL has to one day be hosted in Pakistan but that is well to soon. Having 3 matches in Pakistan is a good start but the next goal must be having 5-6 matches next year rather than just ruining this entire operation. They have done a great job so far, don't ruin it.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Won't happen this soon but could be a possibility in a decade or so.

 

[moghul]

How come there is a Najam Sethi statement every single day ?? I don't see this happening with any sports body around the world. Every single day.

Still better than SYK, who was giving statement twice a day, BID.

 

[hadi123]

Pretty optimistic if he expects the whole PSL will be in Pakistan by next year.

 

[Poutine]

Maybe move all of the play off and final matches to Pakistan next year then take it from there.

Next year may be too early to take the whole leauge to Pakistan.

 

[light]

Wasn't it just last year they had to pay 100K to each foreign players to play the psl finals at home? There is no way this will happen unless mostly only pak players represents the side. This can happen gradually over the years but not just right off the bat.

 

[shokz1408]

Well they are playing more games in pakistan, so it's possible within 2-3 years the whole league will be played in pakistan with more players willing to tour perhaps.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

That should be the ultimate goal.But I don’t think it will happen next year.Maybe 4-5 years down the line we may see a PSL edition played completely in Pakistan

 

[Abdullah719]

At least half matches of PSL 2019 will be in Pakistan

Najam Sethi hoped to organise at least half matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2019 in Pakistan , calling the tournament a ‘national asset’.

In a video message while talking to a media person, he said: “Insha Allah at least half matches of PSL will be held in Pakistan next year. I have only one message for the people of Pakistan . This is your asset. It doesn’t belong to Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta or Multan. And you have to protect it,” he added.

When asked whether it has been confirmed that the PSL 3 final will be played in Karachi, he responded that “it is 100% confirmed”. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman opined that a final match between Karachi and Lahore is what the people anticipate. Smiling at the camera, he said Allah knows better whatever will happen in future.

https://nation.com.pk/28-Feb-2018/at-least-half-matches-of-psl-2019-will-be-in-pakistan