Prime Minister Imran Khan considers hosting entire PSL in Pakistan next year

Image: PSL/Twitter

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is considering hosting the entire Pakistan Super League in the country from next year.

According to Special Assistant to the Prime minister Naeemul Haq, the premier wants to see Pakistan cricketers play the PSL in front of packed venues at home.

“Empty stadiums at PSL matches in UAE justify PM Imran Khan’s decision to move the entire PSL to Pakistan next year,” Naeemul Haq tweeted.

Peshawar Zalmi team owner Javed Afridi supported the move on social media.

The PSL has been held in the UAE since the tournament’s inception in 2016 with more matches being held in Pakistan in successive years.

However, the unwillingness of many top T20 stars to travel to Pakistan has robbed the league of some superstar value at the business end of the tournament.

This year though, South Africa star AB de Villiers has agreed to travel to Pakistan. He will play two matches in Lahore for his team Lahore Qalandars on March 9 and 10.

Many in Pakistan believe hosting a majority or the entirety of the tournament will be a step in the right direction even if top international stars stay away from the league.

The rationale is that teams will get to play in front of packed venues and franchises and the board – who have had to pay substantial money to play games in the UAE – will get to recover the sums invested over the past seasons via local sponsorship.