Peshawar Zalmi, the defending champions of PSL 2018, ended in the third position of the final points table and qualified for the Eliminator of PSL 2018. It means they have to now play on the Pakistan soil. The owner of Peshawar Zalmi, Javed Afridi is very optimistic on PSL’s return to the Pakistan soil.
Apart from the PSL 2018 final, the last two playoff matches will also to be played on the Pakistan soil. Peshawar Zalmi will meet against Quetta Gladiators in the Eliminator of PSL 2018 at Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore) on Tuesday night.
Talking about the importance of organising PSL matches on the Pakistan soil, The Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi told Sportstar, “Not only PSL final, but also two playoffs in Lahore is huge for Pakistan Cricket. In contrast to UAE, the ticket demand is rocket-high in Pakistan. To be honest, Lahore and Karachi stadiums appear smaller, given the huge demand for tickets. Tickets priced at Rs. 12,000 (in Pakistani rupees) are being sold within an hour. That is why I believe PSL’s future is in Pakistan and I’m hopeful that next year, we will have more matches in Pakistan. I feel that PSL matches should be hosted in Peshawar too so that our passionate fans can enjoy the game at Zalmi’s home ground.”
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When Javed was asked about which overseas players of Peshawar Zalmi are travelling to Pakistan, he replied, “Except Dwayne Smith, all the players of Peshawar Zalmi will be coming to Pakistan for the PSL playoffs and if we qualify for the final.”
Javed was also asked whether the tournament will lose its sheen after some top overseas players are not willing to travel to Pakistan. The Peshawar Zalmi owner answered, “The final of PSL 2 was successfully held in Lahore last year and the arrival of Peshawar Zalmi’s foreign players was really a boost for the final. It also became one of the main reasons behind the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. The good sign this time is that four teams are coming to Pakistan and every team has four to five foreign players. This includes players like Darren Sammy, Liam Dawson, Chris Jordan, JP Duminy, Luke Ronchi and many other star players, which is a great sign. Those players who are not coming must review their stance. Law and order in Pakistan is better as compared to last year.”
The final match of PSL 2017 had been played at Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore), where Peshawar Zalmi beat Quetta Gladiators by 58 runs.
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Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin Khan recently lashed out at the PSL foreign players who are not willing to travel to Pakistan.
The former Pakistan wicketkeeper had recently quoted, “I blame the Pakistan Cricket Board for this sad situation. I know the board will not like my comments. But in future, only those overseas players should be included in the player draft who commit to also play in Pakistan if required by their franchises.”
Speaking about that idea, Javed said, “It’s a very tricky situation. For me, the only solution is to host maximum matches in Pakistan and it will set the tone. PSL’s future is to host this league entirely in Pakistan and I am sure next year maximum matches will be played in Pakistan and it will help this league.”
Javed had also the similar tone of Moin Khan as he further added, “Ideally, every contracted player for the PSL must play it’s all matches, including the ones in Pakistan. I suggest next year PCB should apply a policy that all foreign players, who get contract for PSL 4, must play all matches in Pakistan too. Full strength squad of all PSL teams touring Pakistan is very important point in cricket’s standard perspective. The squads must remain strong and same for the entire league.”
