New Delhi: The Pakistan Super league might resume action even though its foreign players might not return for the remainder of the domestic T20 tournament that was halted due to the rise in the country’s military tensions with India after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stopped the tournament indefinitely following escalation of tensions after India’s retaliatory actions on May 7, in response to the attack in Kashmir where at least 26 tourists were killed on April 22.
After three days of heavy engagement along the international borderline, the two countries agreed on a ceasefire, which has made the PCB confident of resuming the tournament by May 16.
“We have eight games, including the final, remaining in the PSL and the plan is to resume by May 15-16 with or without foreign players and wrap up the event,” a PCB source told PTI.
After the beginning of heavy bombardement, not only the PSL but also the Indian Premier League (IPL) was halted for a week. Like the IPL, PSL’s foreign players have mostly left Pakistan and are stationed in Dubai and some even had left for their respective homes.
“Franchises have been told to ask the foreign players to return for the remaining matches but the final decision is with them and their boards,” he said.
“The PCB is in touch with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and both are monitoring the situation but with the situation limping back to normalcy the series is on now.”
The PCB considered relocating the remaining matches to the UAE, but that proposal didn’t get a favourable response. As per reports, PCB plans to host the remaining eight games in Rawalpindi and Lahore, with the final slated to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Reports suggest that many overseas players are unwilling to return to Pakistan due to the prevailing tension insoite of a ceasefire, after it emerged that Australian players narrowly escaped a mishap.
But due to financial compulsions, the PCB is determined to complete the tournament to avoid a big monetory loss.
Pakistan Cricket Board stopped the PSL indefinitely following escalation of tensions after India’s retaliatory actions to Pahalgam terror attack on May 7 Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
