KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar has requested Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider Quetta as one of the venues for Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 4 to be held next year.
The PCB and PSL Chairman, Najam Sethi announced on Sunday that cities of Hyderabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar could host matches of next PSL and that the stadiums would be upgraded in time as the board intends to host half of the league in Pakistan next year.
“Quetta should be considered as one of the venues for PSL season 4 because the people of Balochistan deserve to see the stars in action as much as anyone else in the country, moreover, it would create a massive positive impact on the youth of Quetta and the whole province,” said Nadeem hopefully.
“The pitch, outfield, facilities and the whole faculty of Bugti Stadium are outstanding. All it needs is uplifting of the venue like in any other city. I’m sure that stakeholders of Quetta, which include the provincial government and Pakistan Army would be willing to help us with this great initiative,” he informed.
Cricket is a binding force and has given the people of Balochistan a reason to smile. Having PSL matches in Quetta could leave a lasting impression,” said Nadeem and added that he has been in talks with all major stakeholders of the region and has got assurances from them that all the possible arrangements would be made if PSL matches are hosted in the city.
Quetta Gladiators have been one of the best teams in the past three seasons of PSL — ending up as runner-up twice and reaching the eliminator this year.
“Quetta Gladiators have become a huge brand, we’ve played an important role in the success of PSL by putting Quetta on the map. People now recognize Quetta as a force and this is why I believe that Quetta, along with Peshawar deserves to host part of the matches,” Nadeem explained.
“Both people of Quetta and Peshawar suffer a lot and now it’s they should get some innocent happiness by seeing all the stars play in their own stadiums. PSL in Pakistan can’t be completed without having Quetta and Peshawar as host cities as well.”
Meanwhile, Nadeem also praised Najam Sethi’s role in making PSL a sustainable and successful brand.
“Sethi has done a wonderful job in making PSL what it is today. He had the courage of going ahead with the league when even people in PCB were against it. He brought it to Lahore and now even Karachi which clearly shows that he delivers,” observed Nadeem.
“He has now announced to host half of the league’s matches in Pakistan and we all support this decision. PSL is in safe hands and our support is with Sethi to make this league bigger and better.”
Furthermore, Omar advised PCB to only put in the names of those foreign players in the PSL draft who are willing to play in Pakistan.
It should be recalled that Gladiators suffered recently when their star player Shane Watson and medium fast-bowler Ben Laughlin did not come to Pakistan after committing earlier.
“No matter how bigger a player is, if he is not willing to play in Pakistan, PCB shouldn’t include his name in the league for next season. We have already sacrificed a lot and foreign players need to stand up for the sport as well. Also, PCB should make stricter payment terms for foreign players because they get 75-80% of the payment before PSL ends, which makes it too easy for them to turn their backs on us,” he stated.
