The newly elected chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi chaired his first meeting of the Board’s Management Committee at the National High-Performance Centre on Friday.
The chairperson shared a thorough update with the Management Committee on the HBL Pakistan Super League 2023 (PSL 8). As per the details, Najam is willing to add Quetta as the fifth venue for the eighth edition of the PCB’s annual marquee event alongside Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan.
Assuring Bugti Stadium is ready to host the HBL PSL 8 matches, the Committee, during the meeting, agreed that PCB would work closely with the local administration for the upgradation and renovation of Quetta's venue.
Furthermore, separate discussions would take place between PCB security experts and local authorities providing the safety and security of all the participants, officials and lookouts.
Announcing the big news soon after his appointment as PCB chairman in a meeting, he mentioned,
“I am delighted that seven years after launching the HBL Pakistan Super League, I am today announcing our commitment to add Bugti Stadium in Quetta as the fifth venue for our marquee event. Bugti Stadium is the home ground of Quetta Gladiators, and we still remember the incredible scenes when the Gladiators visited the city after winning the 2019 tournament.
“The passionate cricket fans of Quetta have been waiting for a long to watch high-profile cricket in their backyard, and I am pleased that we will now bring HBL PSL matches to their doors. In this relation, I have already spoken with influential officials in the Balochistan province, who have assured me of their complete support from event delivery perspectives.”
Ramiz's successor, while talking to a group of local journalists on his selection as PCB chairman by the PMLN, dismissed Raja's statement. The ex-chairman said that Peshawar is a red zone to host international cricket. During the meeting, the newly appointed chairman once again discussed the aspect, saying Arab Niaz Stadium would be ready in a short span of six months.
Apart from this, the primary discussions on The Women’s League also took place, with further detailed discussions to take place in due course.
Furthermore, the PCB's Management Committee talked about the domestic cricket structure under the PCB Constitution 2014 and, in the best interest of the cricketers and event, have decided to end up Pakistan Cup on 3 January.
The PCB, concluding the topic, narrated,
In the domestic structure, which mirrors the PCB Constitution 2014, it was agreed Mr Najam Sethi, Mr Shakil Sheikh and Mr Haroon Rashid will prepare the first draft, which will be shared with the Committee for further discussions.
