20
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi on Monday said that after Sri Lanka's successful visit to Lahore for a Twenty20 international match, the Board remains 'hopeful' that Bangladesh and South Africa will visit Pakistan next year.
"We have the option of hosting Ireland and Afghanistan, too. However, after visits by the World XI and Sri Lanka teams to Lahore, we [PCB] want to invite the big teams [to play in Pakistan], " Sethi told DawnNews.
"We are trying to host Bangladesh and South Africa next year in Pakistan. I am hopeful that they will visit in next 12 months," Sethi added.
On Oct 28, Pakistan had hosted Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium for the third and final match of the T20 international. Sri Lanka had returned to play in Pakistan eight years after a terrorist attack on their team bus near the same venue.
Earlier this year, Pakistan had held the Independence Cup 2017, which marked the homecoming of international cricket. Three matches were held at the Gaddafi Stadium, with the home team playing against a World XI side comprising a variety of T20 specialists.
Sethi also said that the PCB is in touch with the West Indies Cricket Board and expects to hear a response regarding the schedule of a West Indies T20 series in Pakistan.
"I am hopeful that all the big names from West Indies will come to Pakistan for the series," Sethi said.
PSL in Karachi?
With regards to holding the Pakistan Super League 2018 final in Karachi, the chairman said that the comments made by globally-renowned security official Reg Dickason after his visit to National Stadium in Karachi had been very encouraging.
On Oct 23, Dickason ─ an Australian national who heads the Dubai-based security firm Eastern Star International and works as a consultant for the International Cricket Council (ICC), Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) besides several ICC member boards ─ had paid a brief visit to the stadium amid strict security arrangements.
After his visit, Dickason said he had held "productive" meetings with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Inspector General Sindh A.D. Khowaja, Director General Rangers Maj Gen Mohammad Saeed and other senior-ranking personnel.
"We were given a very full and comprehensive briefing by the law enforcement agencies which was heartening, the briefing was very detailed,” he had added.
"Holding the PSL final in Karachi is a possibility now," Sethi said. "After Lahore, we want to host PSL matches in Karachi, too. Dickason's comments were very encouraging."
