PCB determined to host PSL 3 final in Karachi: Sethi

KARACHI: Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Najam Sethi on Sunday said that the board is determined to host the third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Karachi in March next year.

"I am confident that Karachi’s national stadium will be ready in time to host the grand finale of PSL3," Sethi said while addressing the media at the players' draft for the PSL3 today.

“We have made a commitment to try our best to have the final in Karachi,” said Sethi.

“As we speak, the National Logistics Cell (NLC) is working overtime and they have promised to get Karachi stadium ready to host the final in March,” he added.

The PCB chairman also took a dig at those who have been putting a question mark on the board's efforts to bring the PSL final to Karachi, saying that people should be more supportive instead of spreading negativity.

“Those who have been saying on the television that Karachi can't host the PSL final should stop being negative and help us in bringing the PSL final to Karachi,” he said.

The chairman lauded PSL’s role in promoting Pakistan cricket, saying that the league is Pakistan’s answer to rest of the world as local cricket has already started to receive the fruits of the league.

“This time, the PSL lineup is better than ever; the league’s asset value has gone up and the game has provided us with youngsters who can win us a tournament like the Champions Trophy,” he said.

Sethi also highlighted how the PSL has helped in bringing cricket back home, saying that with the PSL final in Lahore, PCB was able to convince everyone to visit Pakistan and play cricket.

Discussing Peshawar Zalmi’s owner Javed Afridi's efforts for the PSL final earlier this year, Sethi lauded him for bringing the team's top players to Lahore and termed his services 'as a great sign of patriotism.