Because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the temporary Punjab administration have finally reached an agreement, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8 matches will take place as scheduled in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Dr. Javed Akram, the interim government’s minister of health, stated on Saturday that the PSL games would not be moved from Lahore and Rawalpindi to Karachi.
Matches will be held as scheduled, the PCB chairman announced on his Twitter account on Sunday.
”CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi Saheb has been kind enough to agree to share cost of lighting routes during PSL matches in Lahore. HBL PSL8 matches in Lahore and Pindi shall continue as scheduled,” Najam Sethi tweeted.
Good news: CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi Saheb has been kind enough to agree to share cost of lighting routes during PSL matches in Lahore. HBl PSL8 matches in Lahore and Pindi shall continue as scheduled.
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) February 26, 2023
Conflict Behind the Rescheduling of PSL 8 Matches
It should be mentioned that the PCB was initially asked for PKR 500 million by the interim Punjab government in order to host the games in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The Punjab government has already received PKR 50 million from PCB for food-related charges.
For illumination and security needs, the provincial government then demanded the remaining PKR 450 million.
The board was considering moving the Punjab leg of PSL 8 to Karachi in order to save these costs.
On Saturday night, the Punjab Interim Government resolved to be flexible with regards to lighting, security, and other costs.
They made the decision to pay PKR 250 million, or 50%, of the bill. As they requested PCB to cover the final PKR 250 million.
But, despite the government having provided funding for security, lighting, and other costs, PCB was still unwilling to provide anything.
On Sunday, Najam Sethi contacted Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister, who gave him his complete support in holding games in Punjab. PCB ultimately decided to contribute PKR 100 million towards the previously indicated costs.
Thank you PCB Patron PM @CMShehbaz for facilitating settlement with Punjab Govt on HBL PSL8 security issue!
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) February 26, 2023
PSL 8 matches will be played in Rawalpindi starting on March 1, while matches in Lahore had started on February 26 with Lahore Qalandars vs. Peshawar Zalmi.
To read our blog on “1-day deadline given by PCB to Punjab govt. for PSL matches,” click here.
