Karachi to witness PSL in Feb, ICC team arriving in four days: Sethi

KARACHI: Following meetings with the Chief Minister Sindh and assurances of the provincial government's full cooperation, PCB chairman Najam Sethi told journalists on Wednesday that International Cricket Council (ICC) personnel will be arriving in Karachi in four days time to oversee the plan for hosting some PSL matches in the metropolis. 

The announcement comes after Sethi’s efforts were met with equal enthusiasm from Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, who assured his government would provide complete security to the players and he would personally accompany them, if needed.

Cricket fans in Karachi can expect to be treated to not one but four PSL matches in February. To make this possible, Sethi told the chief minister the National Stadium in Karachi would be renovated with the help of the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK).

Responding in kind, Shah told the PCB chairman that he wants to see international cricket return to Karachi at the earliest. He assured full security to the visiting players and added that if the PCB chairman wants he would accompany the players from the airport himself.

Sethi, who arrived in Karachi late Tuesday night for the important meeting, discussed security and coordination of police with rangers and the army for holding PSL matches in Karachi.

“I am trying to convince all parties to play in Karachi, CM and Rangers for security, franchises for foreign players, ICC security for green light and authorities to complete work in National Stadium within due time,” Sethi had told journalists upon arrival here.

SL team rumours dismissed

Sethi also brushed aside negative reports regarding the arrival of Sri Lankan team and said that the visitors will field a full-strength team for the T20 match scheduled to be held in Lahore on October 29.

“Not only players, but SLC officials are also coming. We will also host a meeting of ACC’s development committee ahead of the match in Lahore and delegates from different countries will participate in that meeting,” said the PCB chairman.

He highlighted that the PSL final in Lahore encouraged the World XI team to undertake Pakistan tour, and the successful tour by the World XI team encouraged Sri Lanka on agreeing to visit Pakistan this month.

“A video briefing was provided by security experts to ICC during the meeting in Auckland, regarding our arrangements in Lahore, and everyone was impressed to see our arrangements,” he said.

“Even the security experts said that they’ve never seen such foolproof security ever in the world,” Sethi added. 

He said that the report by these experts brushed aside all the doubts of other member boards and they made the commitment to tour Pakistan.

“Sri Lanka and West Indies said that they’re a bit uncertain before but the report convinced them and they agreed to tour Pakistan,” he said.