KARACHI – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi assured on Saturday the ongoing eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL8) will continue as per schedule.
In a statement, the PCB chief said the tournament will continue as planned after it has been established and confirmed that Friday’s terrorist attack on Karachi police compound was an “isolated one, which was unrelated to cricket”.
“We have been working very closely with all stakeholders, including the local and foreign security experts, who have provided assurances and comfort that the event can proceed as there was no threat to cricket,” he said.
Saying the PCB takes the safety and security of all those involved in the PSL 8 very seriously, he said presidential-level security has been provided to the teams and officials. “These unprecedented arrangements are similar to what were in place for international matches that have been highly praised and appreciated by the visiting teams and officials.”
He further said the PCB remained committed “to providing complete safety and security to all the participants and, as always, will continue to work very closely with the security experts and law enforcing agencies to ensure the players and officials are comfortable and being well looked after so that they can enjoy their stay in Pakistan and continue to entertain the fans and followers with their cricketing skills and talent.”
Addressing at a book unveing ceremony in Karachi, Sethi said it was challenge to keep the tournament alive. He thanked the Sindh government for providing exception cooperation for holding the matches in the port city.
“When Shehbaz Sharif became prime minister, he called me and assigned task to fix issues in the PCB,” he recalled, adding that he at that time also asked the premier to restore the departmental cricket. He hoped that the departmental cricket would be restored soon.
“I have decided to hold women league,” he said, adding that India launched its women’s tournament after PCB made an announcement in this regard.
The PCB chief also lauded Muneeba Ali for spectacular performance against Ireland in the ongoing Women’s T20I World Cup. She has become the first Pakistani woman player to smash a century.
Earlier, Sindh provincial administration and PCB have decided to continue PSL8 remainder in the metropolis as per schedule.
The recent development comes as militants of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan stormed the Karachi Police Office (KPO), raising questions over security measures amid the ongoing cricket league.
As doubts were raised, Pakistan Cricket Board called an emergency meeting which was reportedly attended by all franchise members including security agencies and provincial government officials.
In the crucial huddle, all stakeholders decided to continue with the ongoing edition of the leading Twenty20 league as per schedule in the port city.
Today, the home side Karachi Kings will lock horns with Quetta Gladiators at National Bamk Cricket Arena today, Peshawar Zalmi and other teams will also arrive in the country’s largest city to join for the game.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/17-Feb-2023/karachi-police-office-cleared-after-terror-attack-three-militants-killed
Reports in local media claimed that Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars were practising at Karachi stadium at the time of the attack. Players reportedly stayed inside the stadium until security clearance.
