LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced the eight Pakistan-leg matches of the HBL Pakistan Super League will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi.
This late change, caused due to a situation beyond the PCB’s control, has also resulted in a tweak to the Pakistan-leg matches, which will now commence from 9 March with all eight matches to be played in as many days.
PCB chairman Ehsan Mani says the decision was made “following the delayed opening of the Lahore airspace for commercial flights which has created substantial operational and logistical challenges.”
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Last Tuesday, an Indian aircraft crossed into Pakistan and carried out what India called a pre-emptive strike against militants blamed for a Feb. 14 suicide bombing in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 40 Indian troops. Pakistan retaliated, shooting down a fighter jet Wednesday and detaining its pilot, who was returned to India on Friday.
“Due to the recent and prevailing uncertainty, we felt it critical to make a decisive decision at this juncture,” Mani said in a statement. “Ensuring all the matches are played in Pakistan falls in line with our vision to take all eight matches of the PSL to the people of Pakistan.”
Lahore was due to host three matches from March 9-12 but these will now take place in Karachi, along with five other PSL games.
Tournament matches are also held in the United Arab Emirates. The Pakistan leg of the PSL will now start two days earlier on March 9 with the final still scheduled for Karachi on March 17.
“This has been a difficult and tough decision, which has been taken following discussion and consultation with all the franchises and service providers,” Mani said.
“We had considered the option of shifting the dates of the eight matches in Pakistan, but because the Pakistan cricket team has to leave for the UAE on 19 March for the ODI series against Australia, this was not possible. We also looked at swapping matches between Lahore and Karachi, but paucity of time would have rendered this option unworkable,” he maintained.
“It is unfortunate that the headquarters of Pakistan cricket will be unable to host the PSL matches in 2019 due to no fault of the PCB,but this is a small sacrifice for a bigger and larger national cause,” said PCB Chief adding “We have spoken with the franchisees, who have backed this decision and have reinforced that all their foreign players will feature in the last eight matches of what has been an outstanding and highly competitive tournament that has been thoroughly enjoyed by the fans and the players.”
PSL is an annual Pakistan domestic league competed between six franchises named after major cities – Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Islamabad, Peshawar, Islamabad and Multan.
According to the revised schedule, the Pakistan-leg matches will start on 9 March with Lahore Qalandars meeting Islamabad United at 7pm PST. The only double-header will be played on 11 Match when Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans will go head to head at 2pm. This will be followed by Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi match which will start at 7pm.
The Qualifier between the number-one and two placed sides will be played on 13 March, while Eliminator 1 between the third and fourth-placed sides will take place on 14 March. Eliminator 2 between the loser of the Qualifier and winner of Eliminator 1 will be played on 15 March.
The final will take place as per schedule on 17 March, with the first ball being bowled at 7pm PST.
Revised event schedule
Saturday, 9 March – Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United (match starts 7pm PST)
Sunday, 10 March – Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators (match starts 7pm PST)
Monday, 11 March – Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans (match starts 2pm PST); Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi (match starts 7pm PST)
Wednesday, 13 March – Qualifier (1 v 2) (match starts 7pm PST)
Thursday, 14 March – Eliminator 1 (3 v 4) (match starts 7pm PST)
Friday, 15 March – Eliminator 2 (match starts 7pm PST)
Sunday, 17 March – Final (match starts 7pm PST)
Ticketing
The PCB will refund tickets for all Lahore matches as per the face value of the tickets with more details to follow in due course.
With the slight amendment in the match schedule for Karachi matches, further details will be provided for existing match ticket-holders and for purchasing of tickets for the additional games.
