Pakistan Super League (PSL) Third Edition-News, Updates and Discussions

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Stadium looks in bad shape

 

[Devil Soul]

PSL 3: Was Azam Khan selected for Quetta Gladiators based on merit or because he is Moin Khan’s son?
By Hamza Junaid 37 minutes ago
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Azam Khan has not even opened his account in the sphere of Pakistan’s domestic cricket, therefore we can’t even comment on his batting abilities.

We all have dreams, but only a few of us go against the odds to accomplish those dreams. Playing for the national cricket team is a dream for millions of kids on the streets of Pakistan, and a few brave souls ultimately set themselves on the long, rough journey to get selected for Pakistan’s domestic cricket team.

For years, they work hard and follow their passion blindly, hoping that their performance will be good enough to attract even a glimpse of the selector’s dodgy eyes. The dream of these young, talented individuals is impaired, bruised and torn apart, however, when a relative of someone influential bypasses the system to get selected instead of them.

The names that come to mind when we talk about favouritism and nepotism are plenty, but the most recent ones include Imamul Haq and Azam Khan.


During the draft of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018, Quetta Gladiators picked Azam from the supplementary category. When I first heard the name, I thought they had gambled on some unknown newcomer, only to find out later that Azam is Moin Khan’s son. The gamble then made sense to me, in terms of the relationships at least.

View image on Twitter

https://twitter.com/TeamQuetta/status/929715293311655937
Quetta Gladiators

✔@TeamQuetta

Keeping it in the family!

Join us in welcoming 'Azam Khan' (Our coach's own son) as our 3rd pick in the PSL Draft Supplementary order!!#HBLPSLDraft#PurpleForce #GladiatorsUnleashed

5:19 PM - Nov 12, 2017

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• 
  2525 Retweets
  
• 
  551551 likes

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I am by no means suggesting that a relative of someone in power should never be given an opportunity; however, like everyone else, that opportunity needs to be earned by merit and not provided via shortcuts!

I would love to believe that Azam has earned his place in Quetta Gladiators, but calling this a merit-based selection would be far-fetched. Azam has not even opened his account in the sphere of Pakistan’s domestic cricket, therefore we can’t even comment on his batting abilities. Getting a direct ticket to a PSL franchise, without having to prove his mettle in domestic cricket, echoes of nothing but nepotism.

Moin claims that his son was picked because of his remarkable talent, yet ironically, that talent only attracted attention from one franchise – the one where Moin is the coach. I try to refrain from commenting on anyone’s state of physique, however, it is ironic that as chief selector in 2014, Moin stated that players whose fitness levels are below set standards will be dropped. Hence, I think it’s fair to comment on his son’s fitness level, especially now that he is part of Quetta Gladiators. Surprisingly, it seems Azam’s evident lack of fitness is not a concern for Moin anymore.

Anyone else smells hypocrisy?

If Azam’s selection gives you a jolt in the head, then you haven’t been following Pakistan’s cricket long enough. This certainly isn’t the first instance where we have observed favouritism in Pakistani cricket. We have proudly (pun intended) enriched our cricket history with classic examples of favouritism and nepotism. Imran Farhat had the luxury to play 58 ODIs in Pakistan’s national jersey at a below par batting average of 30.69, and a miserable strike rate of 69.06. After all, he was the talented son-in-law of former cricketer Mohammad Ilyas.

Imamul Haq, the talented nephew of Inzamamul Haq, the current chief selector of the Pakistan cricket team, is the latest addition to the national team. He may have scored a well-deserved century in his debut, but that does not settle the dust on his selection.

It was not Imam’s turn to debut, nonetheless he was still selected. Imam’s List A average is 38.96, while the likes of Saad Ali and Usman Salahuddin carry 55.60 and 44.39 respectively. Even if we look at openers specifically, Khurram Manzoor has an average of 50.59 in List A, and could have earned a comeback after an impressive run in recent seasons. Yet, Imam with the least average among the names mentioned is playing in the team while the rest are still waiting in line.

Imam-ul-Haq is delighted with his hundred on ODI debut, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi, October 18, 2017. Photo: Getty

I would wish Imam and Azam the very best in their futures – this isn’t a personal rant against either one of them. The goal is to highlight injustice.

Those that followed their dreams to play for Pakistan had trusted the system. Let’s not cheat them. Imam or Azam can both play for Pakistan as long as they earn their place by performing better than everyone else’s children in domestic cricket, not through shortcuts that their connections offer.


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Hamza Junaid
The author is an avid cricket follower and plays for a team called Gladiators based in New York. He tweets as @hamza_junaid1 (twitter.com/hamza_junaid1)

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The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.

 

[Dil Pakistan]

PSL 3: Was Azam Khan selected for Quetta Gladiators based on merit or because he is Moin Khan’s son?
By Hamza Junaid 37 minutes ago
1SHARES
SHARE TWEET EMAIL

Azam Khan has not even opened his account in the sphere of Pakistan’s domestic cricket, therefore we can’t even comment on his batting abilities.

We all have dreams, but only a few of us go against the odds to accomplish those dreams. Playing for the national cricket team is a dream for millions of kids on the streets of Pakistan, and a few brave souls ultimately set themselves on the long, rough journey to get selected for Pakistan’s domestic cricket team.

For years, they work hard and follow their passion blindly, hoping that their performance will be good enough to attract even a glimpse of the selector’s dodgy eyes. The dream of these young, talented individuals is impaired, bruised and torn apart, however, when a relative of someone influential bypasses the system to get selected instead of them.

The names that come to mind when we talk about favouritism and nepotism are plenty, but the most recent ones include Imamul Haq and Azam Khan.


During the draft of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018, Quetta Gladiators picked Azam from the supplementary category. When I first heard the name, I thought they had gambled on some unknown newcomer, only to find out later that Azam is Moin Khan’s son. The gamble then made sense to me, in terms of the relationships at least.

View image on Twitter

Quetta Gladiators

✔@TeamQuetta

Keeping it in the family!

Join us in welcoming 'Azam Khan' (Our coach's own son) as our 3rd pick in the PSL Draft Supplementary order!!#HBLPSLDraft#PurpleForce #GladiatorsUnleashed

5:19 PM - Nov 12, 2017

• 
  8686 Replies
  
• 
  2525 Retweets
  
• 
  551551 likes

Twitter Ads info and privacy




I am by no means suggesting that a relative of someone in power should never be given an opportunity; however, like everyone else, that opportunity needs to be earned by merit and not provided via shortcuts!

I would love to believe that Azam has earned his place in Quetta Gladiators, but calling this a merit-based selection would be far-fetched. Azam has not even opened his account in the sphere of Pakistan’s domestic cricket, therefore we can’t even comment on his batting abilities. Getting a direct ticket to a PSL franchise, without having to prove his mettle in domestic cricket, echoes of nothing but nepotism.

Moin claims that his son was picked because of his remarkable talent, yet ironically, that talent only attracted attention from one franchise – the one where Moin is the coach. I try to refrain from commenting on anyone’s state of physique, however, it is ironic that as chief selector in 2014, Moin stated that players whose fitness levels are below set standards will be dropped. Hence, I think it’s fair to comment on his son’s fitness level, especially now that he is part of Quetta Gladiators. Surprisingly, it seems Azam’s evident lack of fitness is not a concern for Moin anymore.

Anyone else smells hypocrisy?

If Azam’s selection gives you a jolt in the head, then you haven’t been following Pakistan’s cricket long enough. This certainly isn’t the first instance where we have observed favouritism in Pakistani cricket. We have proudly (pun intended) enriched our cricket history with classic examples of favouritism and nepotism. Imran Farhat had the luxury to play 58 ODIs in Pakistan’s national jersey at a below par batting average of 30.69, and a miserable strike rate of 69.06. After all, he was the talented son-in-law of former cricketer Mohammad Ilyas.

Imamul Haq, the talented nephew of Inzamamul Haq, the current chief selector of the Pakistan cricket team, is the latest addition to the national team. He may have scored a well-deserved century in his debut, but that does not settle the dust on his selection.

It was not Imam’s turn to debut, nonetheless he was still selected. Imam’s List A average is 38.96, while the likes of Saad Ali and Usman Salahuddin carry 55.60 and 44.39 respectively. Even if we look at openers specifically, Khurram Manzoor has an average of 50.59 in List A, and could have earned a comeback after an impressive run in recent seasons. Yet, Imam with the least average among the names mentioned is playing in the team while the rest are still waiting in line.

Imam-ul-Haq is delighted with his hundred on ODI debut, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi, October 18, 2017. Photo: Getty

I would wish Imam and Azam the very best in their futures – this isn’t a personal rant against either one of them. The goal is to highlight injustice.

Those that followed their dreams to play for Pakistan had trusted the system. Let’s not cheat them. Imam or Azam can both play for Pakistan as long as they earn their place by performing better than everyone else’s children in domestic cricket, not through shortcuts that their connections offer.


0 CommentsPrintEmail
on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook

Hamza Junaid
The author is an avid cricket follower and plays for a team called Gladiators based in New York. He tweets as @hamza_junaid1 (twitter.com/hamza_junaid1)

• RSS Feed

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.

He looks like a kid who had too much food.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

In the End if beta does not performs, the Franchise owner will ask Abba for his performance and both Abba or Beta will be out

 

[Devil Soul]

He looks like a kid who had too much food.

FAST FOOD

 

[Kambojaric]

Mashallah, Quetta going to win this season for sure

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Nice circumference fielding , will cause some craters on the boundary line
But may be the muscular hitting power comes from belly

 

[ghazi52]

who is not aware of the role of Pakistan’s former wicketkeep keeper Basantman Moin Khan? He has a reputation due to his sincerity and controversial news, and due to Chairman PCB Najam Sethi’s eyestrap, he is a part of the Pakistan cricket board several times.
But, because of his activities, Hathikot Khan’s young batsman Bismillah Khan earned a great reputation in PSL One due to his great reputation and said that part of the Bismamullah Khan National Team in the future Will be
But Ahlalan Balochistan faced severe shock when Manin Khan selected his son Azam Khan instead of Bismillah Khan in the drafting of PSL Tharari,
According to the local newspaper of the Balochistan, Mainan Khan broke the heart of Balochistan players by adding their son to the team of Bismillah Khan and they would not support any Quaid Guides of the PSL in PSL. They will support Peshawar Zalmai instead of Quetta Gladiators in PSL.

 

[CHI RULES]

who is not aware of the role of Pakistan’s former wicketkeep keeper Basantman Moin Khan? He has a reputation due to his sincerity and controversial news, and due to Chairman PCB Najam Sethi’s eyestrap, he is a part of the Pakistan cricket board several times.
But, because of his activities, Hathikot Khan’s young batsman Bismillah Khan earned a great reputation in PSL One due to his great reputation and said that part of the Bismamullah Khan National Team in the future Will be
But Ahlalan Balochistan faced severe shock when Manin Khan selected his son Azam Khan instead of Bismillah Khan in the drafting of PSL Tharari,
According to the local newspaper of the Balochistan, Mainan Khan broke the heart of Balochistan players by adding their son to the team of Bismillah Khan and they would not support any Quaid Guides of the PSL in PSL. They will support Peshawar Zalmai instead of Quetta Gladiators in PSL.

Sir record of Bismillah Khan is also not good in current National T20 championship any comments about that shall be appreciated as well as names of deserving cricketers from Baluchistan.

PSL 3: Was Azam Khan selected for Quetta Gladiators based on merit or because he is Moin Khan’s son?
By Hamza Junaid 37 minutes ago
1SHARES
SHARE TWEET EMAIL

Azam Khan has not even opened his account in the sphere of Pakistan’s domestic cricket, therefore we can’t even comment on his batting abilities.

We all have dreams, but only a few of us go against the odds to accomplish those dreams. Playing for the national cricket team is a dream for millions of kids on the streets of Pakistan, and a few brave souls ultimately set themselves on the long, rough journey to get selected for Pakistan’s domestic cricket team.

For years, they work hard and follow their passion blindly, hoping that their performance will be good enough to attract even a glimpse of the selector’s dodgy eyes. The dream of these young, talented individuals is impaired, bruised and torn apart, however, when a relative of someone influential bypasses the system to get selected instead of them.

The names that come to mind when we talk about favouritism and nepotism are plenty, but the most recent ones include Imamul Haq and Azam Khan.


During the draft of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018, Quetta Gladiators picked Azam from the supplementary category. When I first heard the name, I thought they had gambled on some unknown newcomer, only to find out later that Azam is Moin Khan’s son. The gamble then made sense to me, in terms of the relationships at least.

View image on Twitter

Quetta Gladiators

✔@TeamQuetta

Keeping it in the family!

Join us in welcoming 'Azam Khan' (Our coach's own son) as our 3rd pick in the PSL Draft Supplementary order!!#HBLPSLDraft#PurpleForce #GladiatorsUnleashed

5:19 PM - Nov 12, 2017

• 
  8686 Replies
  
• 
  2525 Retweets
  
• 
  551551 likes

Twitter Ads info and privacy




I am by no means suggesting that a relative of someone in power should never be given an opportunity; however, like everyone else, that opportunity needs to be earned by merit and not provided via shortcuts!

I would love to believe that Azam has earned his place in Quetta Gladiators, but calling this a merit-based selection would be far-fetched. Azam has not even opened his account in the sphere of Pakistan’s domestic cricket, therefore we can’t even comment on his batting abilities. Getting a direct ticket to a PSL franchise, without having to prove his mettle in domestic cricket, echoes of nothing but nepotism.

Moin claims that his son was picked because of his remarkable talent, yet ironically, that talent only attracted attention from one franchise – the one where Moin is the coach. I try to refrain from commenting on anyone’s state of physique, however, it is ironic that as chief selector in 2014, Moin stated that players whose fitness levels are below set standards will be dropped. Hence, I think it’s fair to comment on his son’s fitness level, especially now that he is part of Quetta Gladiators. Surprisingly, it seems Azam’s evident lack of fitness is not a concern for Moin anymore.

Anyone else smells hypocrisy?

If Azam’s selection gives you a jolt in the head, then you haven’t been following Pakistan’s cricket long enough. This certainly isn’t the first instance where we have observed favouritism in Pakistani cricket. We have proudly (pun intended) enriched our cricket history with classic examples of favouritism and nepotism. Imran Farhat had the luxury to play 58 ODIs in Pakistan’s national jersey at a below par batting average of 30.69, and a miserable strike rate of 69.06. After all, he was the talented son-in-law of former cricketer Mohammad Ilyas.

Imamul Haq, the talented nephew of Inzamamul Haq, the current chief selector of the Pakistan cricket team, is the latest addition to the national team. He may have scored a well-deserved century in his debut, but that does not settle the dust on his selection.

It was not Imam’s turn to debut, nonetheless he was still selected. Imam’s List A average is 38.96, while the likes of Saad Ali and Usman Salahuddin carry 55.60 and 44.39 respectively. Even if we look at openers specifically, Khurram Manzoor has an average of 50.59 in List A, and could have earned a comeback after an impressive run in recent seasons. Yet, Imam with the least average among the names mentioned is playing in the team while the rest are still waiting in line.

Imam-ul-Haq is delighted with his hundred on ODI debut, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi, October 18, 2017. Photo: Getty

I would wish Imam and Azam the very best in their futures – this isn’t a personal rant against either one of them. The goal is to highlight injustice.

Those that followed their dreams to play for Pakistan had trusted the system. Let’s not cheat them. Imam or Azam can both play for Pakistan as long as they earn their place by performing better than everyone else’s children in domestic cricket, not through shortcuts that their connections offer.


0 CommentsPrintEmail
on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook

Hamza Junaid
The author is an avid cricket follower and plays for a team called Gladiators based in New York. He tweets as @hamza_junaid1 (twitter.com/hamza_junaid1)

• RSS Feed

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.

The writer himself a cricketer perhaps doesn't know that figures do not make a cricketer no1 choice for selection. What was the record of Wasim or Waqar when they came to Pak team but they had talent and the eye to judge their talent was there.

 

[ghazi52]

Following is the Pakistan Super League 2018 Teams Squad. Also a lot of star players have been retained by their old teams. Some notable names are:

ISLAMABAD UNITED
Owner:
Leonine Global Sports

Retained Players:
“Mohammad Sami, Andre Russell, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Samuel Badree, Iftikhar Ahmed, Amad Butt, Asif Ali.”

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Shane Watson, Steven Finn, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Samuel Badree, Mohammad Sami, Khalid Latif, Brad Haddin, Sam Billings, Hussain Talat, Amad Butt, Dwayne Smith, Ben Duckkett, Shadab Khan, Zohaib Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Imran Khalid, Asif Ali, Rumman Raees, Syed Muzammil Shah.

LAHORE QALANDAR
Owner:
Qatar Lubricant Company

Retained Players:
“Umar Akmal, Sunil Narine, Brendon McCullum, Fakhar Zaman, Yasir Shah, Cameron Delport, Aamer Yamin, Bilawal Bhatti”

Brendon McCullum (captain), Azhar Ali, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Sunil Narine, Umar Akmal, Jason Roy, Yasir Shah, James Franklin, Mohammad Rizwan, Cameron Delport, Fakhar Zaman, Bilawal Bhatti, Ghulam Mudassar, Usman Qadir, Grant Elliot, Chris Green, Saif Badar, Mohammad Irfan (Jr.), Zafar Gohar

QUEETA GALADIATOR
Owner:
Omar Associates

Retained Players:
“Sarfraz Ahmed, Kevin Pietersen, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Nawaz, Anwar Ali, Mahmudullah, Umar Amin, Mir Hamza, Asad Shafiq.”

Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Umar Gul, Asad Shafiq, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Nawaz, Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Rilee Rossouw, Mahmudullah Riyad, Anwar Ali, Tymal Mills, Hassan Khan, Nathan McCullum, Thisara Perera, Bismillah Khan, Mir Hamza, Zulfiqar Babar, Saad Nasim, Umar Amin, Noor Wali
Quetta Gladiators foreign players for PSL final: Anamul Haque, Morne van Wyk, Richard Levi, Sean Ervine, Graeme Creme

PESHAWAR ZALMI
Owner:
Haier Pakistan

Retained Players:
“Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Shakib al Hasan, Kamran Akmal, Darren Sammy, Hasan Ali, Haris Sohail, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Asghar.”

Darren Sammy (captain), Sohaib Maqsood, Eoin Morgan, Wahab Riaz, Tilakaratne Dilshan, Mohammad Hafeez, Chris Jordan, Samit Patel, Kamran Akmal, Iftikhar Ahmed, Harris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Asghar, Marlon Samuels, Andre Fletcher, Khushdil Shah, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Imran Khan (jr), Junaid Khan, M. Irfan Khan

KARACHI KINGS
Owner:
ARY Group

Retained Players:
“Usman Khan, Usama Mir, Khurram Manzoor, Ravi Bopara, Imad Wasim, Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir”

Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Chris Gayle, Babar Azam, Ravi Bopara, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Safiullah Bangash, Shazaib Hasan, Sohail Khan, Kieron Pollard, Ryan McLaren, Khurram Manzoor, Kashif Bhatti, Usman Khan, Hasan Mohsin, Mahela Jayawardene, Usama Mir, Rahat Ali, Amad Alam

MULTAN SULTAN

Owner:
Schon Group

Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Kumar Sangakkara, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, IrfanKhan, Kashif Bhatti

 

[ghazi52]

Will be joining Multan Sultans for matches in Pakistan, says Tom Moody

Former Australian cricketer and Multan Sultans Head Coach Tom Moody has said that he would come to Pakistan if his team reaches the final stages of Pakistan Super League's (PSL) third edition.

"Yes, I'll be joining the team for the games in Pakistan," he said while talking to DawnNews. "Hopefully we will qualify for the finals and get the opportunity to play at both venues — Karachi and Lahore."

When asked whether Pakistani fans will get to see international stars in action in Pakistan, he said: "I think the trust level of the players to travel to Pakistan is going to improve over time. More and more players are getting comfortable with the idea [of playing in Pakistan] and I think it will only increase over time."

"The draft had a lot of high-quality players, not only local but also international, so all the teams had access to some star quality players,” said Moody, who coaches the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Indian Premier League (IPL) and Rangpur Riders in Bangladesh Premier League.

Hopeful that his team will reach the finals, Moody said: "I think we have a competitive side that has got a good balance between experienced international players and some exciting young talent, so I think we will be competitive throughout the tournament."

"I think the team that manages to adjust and gets its balance early on in the tournament will obviously find themselves ahead at the end of the tournament," said Moody.

On working for Sultans with the legendary Wasim Akram, he said: "I am obviously very excited about reuniting with Wasim Akram. We have been friends for a really long time and to have his experience with the group is going to be invaluable."

The third edition of PSL is set to begin in February 2018.

 

[ghazi52]

PSL 2018 schedule sent off to franchises

LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) schedule has been prepared and sent off to franchises for its third edition in 2018.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the PSL event will begin with its first match on February 22, concluding the series with the final match on March 25, 2018, in a Peshawar Zalmi playoff against the new entrants Multan Sultans.

The PSL matches will be distributed in Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) while Abu Dhabi has been dropped from the PSL - 3 venues, where PCB was expecting at least 6 matches in Abu Dhabi.

Sources also added that none of the matches will be held in Abu Dhabi due to logistical issues.

The official announcement for PSL - 3 will be made next week, a source related to the matter declared.

PCB chairman Najam Sethi had earlier confirmed that Karachi’s National Stadium will host the final match of PSL - 3 in March next year.

Karachi's National Stadium is going under renovation process which is expected to complete before PSL final for the third edition of the tournament in 2018.

PCB has reportedly allocated ten million rupees for this purpose.

 

[ghazi52]

PSL 2018 opener in Dubai on Feb 22, final to be in Karachi

The first match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 will be held on February 22 in Dubai, with last year's champions, the Peshawar Zalmi facing off against newcomers, the Multan Sultans, according to a schedule released by the franchise on Thursday.

A total of 34 matches will be played across different venues in Dubai, Sharjah, Lahore and Karachi. The final is to be held in Karachi on March 25, according to the PSL schedule.

"Efforts are underway to stage two play-off games in Lahore followed by what would be a historic HBL PSL final in Karachi," a PSL press release said.

View image on Twitter

PakistanSuperLeague

✔@thePSLt20

Mark the time, day and date, #HBLPSL2018 schedule is out get ready to see world-class cricketing action

6:18 AM - Dec 7, 2017

The season will kick off with a ceremony at the Dubai International Stadium, the handout said.

During the season, all teams will play against each other twice before the top four teams qualify for the play-off stage, the press release said.

Last year, the PSL Season 2 final was held at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium amid tight security.

Since the success of the PSL 2017 final, Pakistan has hosted a T20 series against the World XI at Gaddafi Stadium.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

Karachiites will get a chance to watch quality cricket in PSL final, says Sindh governor


Governor Sindh Mohammad Zubair, on a visit to the National Stadium on Sunday, said that cricket fans in Karachi would get an opportunity to watch "quality cricket" in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final which is scheduled to be held in the metropolis on March 25.

Zubair said that the arrival of international players in the country would "open the doors of international cricket" in Pakistan and observed that the security situation in the country is much better now than it was in 2013.

The governor added said that the entire country was thankful to the Sri Lankan team for visiting Pakistan for a Twenty20 match in October this year.

The third season of the PSL will kick off in Dubai on Feb 22, wtih the Peshawar Zalmi facing off against newcomers, the Multan Sultans.

A total of 24 matches will be played across different venues in Dubai, Sharjah, Lahore and Karachi. The final is to be held in Karachi on March 25.

This year, the PSL Season 2 final was held at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium amid tight security.