PCB hopeful Bangladesh, South Africa will tour next year

F.P. Report

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi on Monday said that after Sri Lanka’s successful visit to Lahore for a Twenty20 international match, the Board remains ‘hopeful’ that Bangladesh and South Africa will visit Pakistan next year.

“We have the option of hosting Ireland and Afghanistan, too.

However, after visits by the World XI and Sri Lanka teams to Lahore, we [PCB] want to invite the big teams to play in Pakistan, ” Sethi told. “We are trying to host Bangladesh and South Africa next year in Pakistan. I am hopeful that they will visit in next 12 months,” Sethi added.

On Oct 28, Pakistan had hosted Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium for the third and final match of the T20 international. Sri Lanka had returned to play in Pakistan eight years after a terrorist attack on their team bus near the same venue.

Earlier this year, Pakistan had held the Independence Cup 2017, which marked the homecoming of international cricket. Three matches were held at the Gaddafi Stadium, with the home team playing against a World XI side comprising a variety of T20 specialists.

Najam Sethi says will try to ensure PSL final is played in Karachi

PCB Chairman Najam Sethi said on Tuesday that he would try to ensure that the final of the third edition of the Pakistan Super League is played in Karachi.

Speaking to media personnel, Najam Sethi said that by February, the stadium in Karachi will be prepared to host PSL matches. He also said that in a couple of days, the dates pertaining to the upcoming West Indies tour would also be announced.

A couple of weeks ago, Najam Sethi had announced on Twitter that he would be meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to discuss bringing PSL matches to Karachi.

Fans have been impatiently waiting for the Pakistan Super League to be played in Karachi after the first two editions were played in the UAE for the most part.

The final of PSL’s second edition was held in Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium in March of this year. Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Darren Sammy, defeated Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Quetta Gladiatiors in the final to clinch the trophy. Last Sunday, the Sri Lankan cricket team visited Lahore to play the final of the T20 series match at Gaddafi stadium amid much fanfare.