A year ago when it was announced that all of Pakistan Super League’s matches in its fifth edition were going to be held in Pakistan, few would have believed it considering the security situation in Pakistan and the lack of international series played on Pakistani soil for a almost a decade.Over the last one year though that myth slowly changed.Pakistan have their own league to look forward to,now, on its home shores.
Firstly, the Sri Lankan tour took place though in two episodes which was a major step in bringing back cricket in the three big centres of the country.The Bangladesh tour albeit in measured portions further complimented their hosting of an event of PSL’s stature.After 5 decades,the MCC led by Kumar Sangakkara as its first non British head travelled for a week long tour to play four white ball cricket games in Lahore.This cemented to a degree that the doors of cricket are now open.
More than the tour itself it was Kumar’s inspirational quotes that won hearts. He stated
“Cricket belongs to everyone, but for the players to have that platform and display their skills, you need to have that support.The fact is that you need to have an underpinning of youth who can be inspired to take up the game.”
Entrenched in cricketing isolation for a decade, this PSL is the acid test for future tours in Pakistan as well as the one of the laboratories for emerging talent.The country has produced some of the finest cricketers to play in all formats of the game.Having previously hosted primarily in the UAE with only a number of playoff games coming home,there were always reservations for players touring.Shane Watson was the famous example in 2017 final for Quetta.Those who came such as Peshawar Zalmi’s squad members led by Darren Sammy and Quetta’s mentor Vivian Richards were showered with warmth and love hardly seen in sporting circles.
Organising a month long event with security being paramount of all players not just the foreign contingent, but also of the coaching staff and media remains to be challenge in process. It also is inclusive of factors like infrastructure ,renovation of the stadia and advertising which is at a whole new level since the last cricketing trophy Pakistan hosted in 2008 (Asia Cup).It also gave an opportunity to see how PCB reacts to the rigours required of multi team cricket tournament as the Asia Cup comes back later this year.PCB and the state agencies involved deserved its share of credit in this respect, the way they have managed to pull off something not imaginable months back.
To say cricket is madly followed in the nation is an understatement. The fact test cricket was almost wiped off its shores for a decade and still the youth continue to prosper is a massive achievement.One of them,Babar Azam had never played a home test until a couple of months back and did he get an ovation from the vociferous Rawalpindi crowd.The chants of “Babar, Babar” reverberated that Sunday on his first century on ” home ” soil as much as it did on his winning ton in Edgbaston,Birmingham in the World Cup game against New Zealand,the biggest partisan crowd outside of home in a major event.With attendances expected to soar as the tournament progresses,he has become the new face of Pakistan cricket and PSL.Everywhere he goes, crowds will follow.He not only is a King in Karachi but now of Pakistan.
PSL has become a major product since its inception and has grown every year. It was the first league of any kind to adopt a TV review in 2017 playoffs, something the ICC went on to replicate in all its T20 matches.From the initial season when it was completely played in the UAE and had five teams,it now consists of six teams from cities which instill a degree of culture in their own paradigm.Mascots such as Sheru from Islamabad, “Glady” of Quetta ,”Saeen” of Multan and the “Markhor” impart their own energies to the league.
Multan and Rawalpindi are the new venues for this year’s PSL, a treat for their respective teams and ever growing popularity.Multan boasts the largest cricket stadium in Pakistan since the Gaddafi Stadium underwent renovation.Islamabad being the nation’s capital is in proximity with Rawalpindi which is a major nursery of cricket.Karachi and Lahore, as is traditionally,will dominate the match fixtures with Peshawar speculated to host next year’s tournament.
This year’s hosting will definitely boost interest in youth which has dwindled in the last decade with people starved to see both home and international cricketers. From Khyber to Karachi,there can’t be any bigger bond shared than the love of this game . For the millions who will watch in the country, there will many millions more who will watch it from the TV sets to many digital platforms all across the globe.Urdu Commentary is a welcome boost this year and its fair to say commentary in more local languages will be attract it even more.
There will no doubt that come March 22,Lahore would host one of its biggest cricketing finals.Abdul Hafeez Kardar,father of Pakistani cricket would have been proud and the famous road named after the “Skipper” leading to Gaddafi Stadium will greet every team in the coming month.Cricket is the true winner and PSL is finally home ! And I as well as many millions of fans can’t wait for the new talent to rise !
With spring in sight, there can’t be any better validation of this season than the famous words of the country’s famous test wicket-keeper Wasim Bari
“Cricket unites Pakistan and makes it talents bloom.”
For PSL Streaming , use the following link
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pk.beesports.beesports
Sportsfan Says 