LAHORE
\nThe caretaker government has green signalled the commencement of the ninth season of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) a day after the general elections \u2014 which are scheduled for Feb. 8, the day also earmarked for the PSL opener \u2014 sources told Media.
\nThe go-ahead was given by Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar to the Pakistan Cricket Board\u2019s interim management committee chief Zaka Ashraf during a meeting at the premier\u2019s office in Islamabad on Monday.
\nThe decision puts to bed doubts over the upcoming PSL edition\u2019s venue to bed after its franchises had suggested moving the tournament to the United Arab Emirates citing security challenges due to the long-awaited polls.
\nThe PCB, however, in its press release later, said that PM Kakar had suggested the board to consider \u201cadjustments to the HBL PSL matches to prevent any interference with the voting process\u201d.
\nA number of topics came under discussion during the meeting between Kakar and Zaka, including about Pakistan\u2019s upcoming three-match Test series against Australia.
\nTo brief on that, the national side\u2019s team director Mohammad Hafeez, bowling coach Umar Gul and spin bowling coach Saeed Ajmal attended the two-hour long meeting.
\nAccording to sources, the officials were asked to \u201cgive their best\u201d on the tough tour Down Under before Hafeez assured that to the prime minister, adding that the team was in good fighting shape to give tough time to the current World Test champions.
\nDawn understands that the PCB\u2019s interim committee chairman also discussed the stance of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over visiting Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy as well as about the bilateral cricket ties between the two countries.
\nZaka told the premier that it was due to the Indian government\u2019s disapproval that the country\u2019s team couldn\u2019t come to Pakistan and that the issue needs to be taken up at a level higher than that of cricket boards.
\nThe PCB chief briefed Kakar over the requirement of renovation for Pakistan\u2019s international cricket venues for the Champions Trophy, for which the prime minister assured foolproof security.
\nSources said that Zaka was enquired about Pakistan\u2019s dismal show in the recent 50-over World Cup in India. The interim committee chief told Kakar that he trusted the team management staff appointed by his predecessor Najam Sethi.
\nMoreover, the prime minister also ordered to hand over some grounds of Islamabad, including Diamond Club and Tehseen ground of Gilgit-Baltistan to the PCB.
\nSources said that Kakar assured that he would write letters to Saudi Arabia and Qatar\u2019s heads of states to sign agreements with the PCB for the promotion of cricket in their countries.
\nNo discussion whatsoever was made about the PCB\u2019s pending elections despite Zaka\u2019s committee\u2019s mandate being mainly conducting the polls.
\nThe incumbent committee has to complete the task of holding the elections for the PCB\u2019s chairman for a three-year term. The second term of the committee expires on Feb 4 after an extension of three months, extending its tenure to seven months.
\nThe PCB further said in its press release that Kakar \u201cexpressed his encouragement and appreciation for the initiatives taken by the PCB management committee\u201d.
\n\u201cHe emphasised the importance of expanding the reach of cricket across the country, particularly in remote and northern areas,\u201d the statement read.
\n\u201cPrime Minister Kakar assured the PCB of full assistance for the seamless execution of the upcoming ninth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). He guaranteed the relevant security arrangements during HBL PSL 2024, taking into account the Pakistan General Elections.
\n\u201cDiscussions also ensued regarding the feasibility of incorporating a gap day in the tournament to accommodate the elections.\u201d
\nThe PCB confirmed that the prime minister urged the PCB to work on improving its ties with other cricket boards including the BCCI.
\n\u201cPM Kakar commended the PCB\u2019s commitment to improving ties with other cricket boards,\u201d said the press release. \u201cHe highlighted the importance of strengthening relations with cricket boards such as CA, BCCI and ECB.\u201d
\nThe PCB statement added that the board was told to boost its preparations to hold the Champions Trophy while also assuring government support.
\n\u201cPM Kakar urged the PCB to align with stakeholders and security agencies for the successful hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan,\u201d it read. \u201cHe also affirmed the government\u2019s support for the endeavours undertaken by the PCB to promote cricket at all levels in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE The caretaker government has green signalled the commencement of the ninth season of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) a day after the general elections \u2014 which are scheduled for Feb. 8, the day also earmarked for the PSL opener \u2014 sources told Media. The go-ahead was given by Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":374093,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-374069","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n