(Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.)
LAHORE – The craters created by Indian Air Force (IAF) jets’ bombing in a forest near Balakot on Tuesday will be combined to create a cricket ground, The Dependent has reliably learnt. Sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board have further confirmed that work is going on to ensure that the final of the ongoing fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is played in the cricket ground in Balakot.
As things stand, the PSL is scheduled to be played on March 17 in Karachi. A total of eight matches will be played in Lahore and Karachi, including four group matches, three playoffs and the final. PCB sources confirm that while they wanted to play more matches in Balakot, they’re facing a race against time.
“The ground that IAF has created in the shape of craters in a forest is being leveled to make a cricket field. The pitch is expected to spin a lot, but will be good for batsmen as well,” a PCB official said while talking to The Dependent.
“We wanted to play more matches here given the significance the area now has for all of Pakistan, but we might only be able to play the final – which of course is going to be huge,” the official said.
The PCB official further revealed that the board is planning to extend an invitation to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play a bilateral series in Balakot.
“We’ve beaten them in a well contested PAF matchup near the under construction stadium in Balakot, would be great to follow it up with a cricket matchup,” the official said.
However, reports have since followed that Board of Combat Control in India has pulled out of the bilateral series against Pakistan.
