PCB chairman hopes to hold half PSL 2019 matches in Pakistan

[MenInG]

DUBAI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi said in a video message that he hopes for at least half of the matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2019 in Pakistan.

Sethi said, “Insha Allah at least half matches of PSL will be held in Pakistan next year (2019).”

Also, he called PSL ‘a national asset’, referring that it belongs to no one except the people of Pakistan. “I have only one message for the Pakistani people. This (PSL) is your asset. It does not belong to Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta or Multan. And you have to protect it,” he exclaimed.

When the interviewer asked him about his favourite team in the league so far, he responded with a smile, hinting that he would love to see a final match between Karachi and Lahore at the former’s home ground.

About the likeliness of the PSL 3 final in Karachi, he suggested that “it is 100 per cent confirmed”.

Today, the sixth match of PSL 2018 will be held between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators in Sharjah. The undefeated Karachi Kings lead the points table with three consecutive wins while Lahore Qalandars lost all its matches and landed in the last spot.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi’s Liam Dawson is among the several overseas players who have confirmed their availability for the Pakistan chapter of PSL 2018.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...es-to-hold-half-psl-2019-matches-in-pakistan/

 

[UN talkz]

Good if it happens, i will be happy with anything not less than 10 matches in Pakistan next year

 

[j_kazmi]

A quarter would be more realistic.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

This is his strategy, he says more so still many matches come home.

 

[giri26]

I think this is possible, PSL though might not have the star overseas players they desire but again, they will have good crowds for their games.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

2 days ago it was the whole PSL now it's half. After a few more days it's going to be a quarter and by the finishing games it'll be 5 games in Pakistan next year talk.

 

[ipl_fan]

Why does he talk to the media every day !!!!

 

[msb314]

DUBAI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi said in a video message that he hopes for at least half of the matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2019 in Pakistan.

Sethi said, “Insha Allah at least half matches of PSL will be held in Pakistan next year (2019).”

Also, he called PSL ‘a national asset’, referring that it belongs to no one except the people of Pakistan. “I have only one message for the Pakistani people. This (PSL) is your asset. It does not belong to Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta or Multan. And you have to protect it,” he exclaimed.

When the interviewer asked him about his favourite team in the league so far, he responded with a smile, hinting that he would love to see a final match between Karachi and Lahore at the former’s home ground.

About the likeliness of the PSL 3 final in Karachi, he suggested that “it is 100 per cent confirmed”.

Today, the sixth match of PSL 2018 will be held between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators in Sharjah. The undefeated Karachi Kings lead the points table with three consecutive wins while Lahore Qalandars lost all its matches and landed in the last spot.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi’s Liam Dawson is among the several overseas players who have confirmed their availability for the Pakistan chapter of PSL 2018.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...es-to-hold-half-psl-2019-matches-in-pakistan/

Didn’t Najam day in an earlier thread that he wants all of PSL 2019 in Pakistan?

 

[PakLFC]

Last year they said the same. PSL was supposed to take part in Pakistan this year!

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Last year they said the same. PSL was supposed to take part in Pakistan this year!

Not really noone said that.

 

[sjahmed23]

Would really like to see PSL in pak next year and PCB should start working on that now, stadiums need to modernise as well as surrounding areas.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Even if we have third string players I would not mind hosting all matches in Pakistan because it is the crowd that matters the most.

Our generation has to make sacrifices for the future of PSL and go through one or two PSL seasons without quality players.

 

[PakLFC]

Not really noone said that.

I remember someone did. Could have been Sethi.

 

[reversehook]

yar yeh najam sethi ke contract mein likha hai kya ke roz atleast 2-3 international level ki bongiyaan zaroor maarni hain... he needs to stop blowing his own invisible horn, just stay shut and let your work do the talk, of late almost every statement has run into a wall... please let there be some grace left for our cricket

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Najam Sethi needs to quit lying to the pressers. He should come out and make a definitive statement.

I think starting next year there should be a clause in the contracts that state in order to play in the PSL you must be willing to play in Pakistan. If the PCB up to the contract amounts, I don't see a problem in terms of foreigners coming.

Players need to understand what PSL stands for, it's PAKISTAN Super League if your not willing to tour the country in which the league originates then there is no need for you to come play at all. Unless the security situation drastically changes I think in the past couple of years Pakistan has cracked down a lot on terrorism.

 

[HuzaifaE]

Not sure what the outcome will be as of yet, but if international cricket does return to Pakistan in almost full effect in the near future, it will definitely be largely down to Sethi's determination.

People are being overly critical, he has ambitions and voices them transparently. Fair enough.

 

[UN talkz]

This is utter RUBBISH
Last year in September he said U23 Asia Emerging Nations Cup will take place in Pakistan in April 2018 and it's not happening now and will be moved to Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. Better for Sethi to shut his mouth and talk about such things only when it's 100% confirmed. #StopSpreadingLiesSethiSahab

 

[Watsupdoc]

Bla bla - this guy is just talk. Only the final will take place in Pak as usual...

 

[Red Devil]

Bla bla - this guy is just talk. Only the final will take place in Pak as usual...

Well, the semifinals are also in Pakistan this year. If everything goes well iA, then having a few more matches in Pakistan next year doesn't sound too far fetched.

 

[Abid Z]

I think 4-6 matches in pak next year is entirely realistic. For all those that say Sethi should not talk to press everyday I do agree but in this instance it’s important to get these views out early so international players can start getting their thinking straight. It is a huge jump from a fly in fly out final to actually having a handful of matches in the full glare of international observers. One little incident and this could put the whole process back a decade.

 

[hadi123]

It's very optimistic to go from 1 match in Pakistan, to 3, to half. Next season should get all 3 plays off + the final in Pakistan, and the start of the tournament as well, as there is a lot of hype at the start of any tournament, naturally. An opening ceremony in Lahore/Karachi would be amazing

 

[Syed1]

Hold both Karachi-Lahore matches on home/away basis and the playoffs + final in Pakistan....

 

[Gubol123]

Hold both Karachi-Lahore matches on home/away basis and the playoffs + final in Pakistan....

That is an excellent idea and entirely feasible even under the current circumstances.. Actually they could have done this in this current edition.. PCB just needs to take a stand and move majority of the matches to Pak. If situation in other areas is not acceptable, than remaining franchisees (apart from Karachi and Lahore) can adapt an alternate ground in these two cities. Does Lahore or Karachi have any additional grounds apart from Gaddaffi and National stadium? How about Pindi and Islamabad? are there any close by grounds? even if hte grounds are small and not fully international standard, PCB should renovate whatever they have and move to Pak..

Next year at the minimum following matches should be held in Pak

- Opening ceremony on a Thursday - Make a full day affair, make a big show and ensure full stadium even if it has to be free entry.
- First two matches of the competition should be b/n Karachi lahore, back to back may be Friday and Sunday?
- Move to Sharjah and play reminder of the tournament, may be couple of games in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
- Move Semifinal/Playoffs and Final to Pak

If required PCB can pay higher compensation to players willing to travel to Pak, but don't compromise on the number of matches..

 

[iniqbal223]

I think best way forward is to take gradual steps-- which is realistic. Many foreign players get convinced when they are in PSL. Example : last year , Sammy and others, this year may be few more.

Announcing this unnecessarily, may pull out good players from PSL, because of high lucrative IPL to follow, and no one wants to take unnecessary risk in playing in Pakistan.

Secondly, why they have to chase the likes of retired players like KP and others to come and play in Pakistan. People in Pakistan will anyway come to watch PSL games, its the issue in Dubai/Sharjah, where no one is coming in stadiums, there you need big brand players.

May be because of KP's track record, I am not sure if any English player will consult him before playing in PSL/Pakistan.

FOCUS should be on taking incident-free gradual steps. Given the non-professional work attitude of PCB, they also needs some kind of pushing from these players to make sure PCB is covering all aspects of security.

Chalk out a 4 year plan to shift 60-70% of PSL in Pakistan. Conducting PSL will not guarantee that international team will come and play. That might convince few players in a team but not all.

Return of international cricket involves board diplomacy, talking to board counterparts.
PSL, however, could be taken on player-by-player basis.

For international cricket, PCB needs to work in parallel with other boards, by building successes of PSL/World XI.
etc.

 

[barah_admi]

Great ambitions and Sethi, contrary to "Pakistanis" on here, has delivered on more promises than he has failed. Obviously no one can be 100% but he has done an admirable job. The biggest asset of teh PSL is that it broadcasts globally, plenty of my non Pakistani/Indian cricket friends watch it and when they see matches in Pak, they become more accepting of the idea that cricket can be played there.

Now, other people within the PCB, international delegations and such, need to start spreading the idea to other cricket boards. It is most important to get the ECB on board, because once they are, almost everyone else will be.