PSL 2023: Najam Sethi confirms



On Sunday, the chairman of the management committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Najam Sethi, declared that the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 matches scheduled to take place in Lahore and Rawalpindi will proceed as planned.

Sethi conveyed his appreciation to the caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, for his kindness. "Generously agreed to share the cost of illuminating the routes during PSL matches in Lahore”.

The Punjab administration and PCB were engaged in discussions regarding the security arrangements for the matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi. The former had requested Rs450 million to cover the costs of security.

As per a press statement released by the PCB subsequently, the understanding between the Punjab government and cricket board is for a singular occasion only.

I am extremely pleased that the enthusiastic and devoted cricket enthusiasts of Lahore will have the opportunity to witness the top T20 cricketers of today in action and witness them compete for the esteemed Supernova Trophy. The league has already established a precedent for exhilarating and electrifying matches following fixtures held in Karachi and Multan, and I am optimistic that we will witness more riveting and suspenseful games in the days to come.

Sethi was quoted in the press release as saying, "I am also grateful to the franchise proprietors for their generous and unwavering support to the PCB during this process. We are determined to continue collaborating with the provincial governments and presenting them with proposals and recommendations on how they can utilize the HBL PSL more effectively to generate income.

Earlier, the Punjab administration had consented to illuminate the path from the team lodgings to the Gaddafi Stadium. However, the disagreement between the Punjab government and PCB had persisted, leading to speculation that the PSL would be relocated from Lahore and Rawalpindi to Karachi after the two parties failed to reach an agreement on security expenses on Saturday.

The Punjab administration had reduced its request for security funding from Rs450m to Rs250m, but the PCB remained firm, contending that it was the government's responsibility to ensure the safety of the teams, in accordance with the agreements signed in 2014 to reinstate international cricket in Pakistan.

The PCB had also kept its patron-in-chief, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, informed about the situation.

Mansoor Qadir, the focal person for the Punjab government ministerial committee, had informed Dawn that the lights would stay installed as the administration did not want to deprive the people of Lahore of the glamorous T20 event. Nevertheless, he asserted that the provincial cabinet would not engage in any more discussions with the PCB until the latter pledged to pay Rs250m for the acquisition of security lights for future use.

Following the convening of the Punjab cabinet on Saturday to finalize its position on the matter, the PCB had conducted its own meeting to deliberate on the issue. Insiders within the board had verified that they had received an oral proposal from the administration to lower the sum to Rs250m, but the board had declined to accept it.

According to insiders, the PCB had maintained a firm position, whereas the government's stance was unclear. "Initially, the administration had requested the PCB to pay Rs900m, which it gradually reduced, and has now lowered it to Rs250m," the source had revealed.

Schedule for the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 matches:

Feb 27: Lahore Qalandars take on Islamabad United at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore to kickstart the tournament.

Mar 1: Peshawar Zalmi battle it out against Karachi Kings at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Mar 2: Lahore Qalandars face off against Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Mar 3: Islamabad United play Karachi Kings at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Mar 4: Lahore Qalandars clash with Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Mar 5: Islamabad United meet Quetta Gladiators at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Mar 6: Quetta Gladiators take on Karachi Kings at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Mar 7: Peshawar Zalmi play Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United take on Multan Sultans at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Mar 8: Peshawar Zalmi face off against Quetta Gladiators at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Mar 9: Islamabad United battle it out against Lahore Qalandars at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Mar 10: Peshawar Zalmi clash with Multan Sultans at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Mar 11: Quetta Gladiators meet Multan Sultans at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Mar 12: Islamabad United take on Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars face off against Karachi Kings at their home ground, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Mar 15: The top two teams from the league stage will meet in the Qualifier at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Mar 16: The loser of the Qualifier and the winner of Eliminator 1 will face off in Eliminator 2 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Mar 17: The winner of Eliminator 2 will meet the winner of the Qualifier in the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on March 19.

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