Bureau Report
Lahore: Karachi’s National Stadium will now host the knock-out stage of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 5, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed.
Following smog and weather conditions in Lahore later on, the PCB has decided to move PSL 5’s knock-out stage to Karachi taking into consideration the health and wellbeing of professional athletes and match officials.
A qualifier, two Eliminators and a final of PSL are scheduled to be played from November 14 to 17.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s home T20I series against Zimbabwe has been moved to Rawalpindi due to the same weather reason.
PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said: “We have been keeping a close eye on air quality forecasts over the last two weeks. Following the sudden deterioration in air quality and now further expected air pollution in November, we have made a swift decision to move the matches scheduled in Lahore. “The early onset of hazardous pollution and subsequent poor air quality meant that the risk to keep matches in Lahore at this stage was too great. An early decision was made to ensure logistical challenges could be dealt with sooner rather than later. We cannot and will not compromise on the health and wellbeing of the players or officials.
“The decision to move matches from Lahore was not one that was taken lightly. For the sake of everyone involved and to ensure the remaining four matches of the HBL PSL and the three T20Is against Zimbabwe were completed without risk or interruption, it was important to move the matches. “I am grateful to Zimbabwe Cricket, the franchise owners, broadcast partners and our valued commercial partners for their understanding in supporting our decision. “We also want to thank the federal and provincial governments, as well as law enforcing agencies for their understanding and continued support.”
