LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced the eightPakistan-leg matches of the HBL Pakistan Super League will be played at theNational Stadium in Karachi.

This late change, caused due to a situation beyond the PCB’s control, hasalso resulted in a tweak to the Pakistan-leg matches, which will nowcommence from 9 March with all eight matches to be played in as many days.

The decision has been made following the delayed opening of the Lahoreairspace for commercial flights, which has created substantial operationaland logistical challenges relating to the delivery of the three Lahorematches, which were originally scheduled for 9, 10 and 12 March.

Some of the key challenges that PCB has faced as a result of the delayedopening of the Lahore airport have included securing production equipmentand the commitment of broadcast crew, as well as finalising the logisticsfor the officials and teams.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said “This has been a difficult and tough decision,which has been taken following discussion and consultation with all thefranchisees and service providers to ensure certainty and clarity on theevent as well as delivery of the remaining matches as per the PCB’s ownvery high standards.”

“Due to the recent and prevailing uncertainty, we felt it critical to makea decisive decision at this juncture. Ensuring all matches are played inPakistan falls in line with our vision to take all eight matches of the HBLPSL 2019 matches to the people of Pakistan,” he said.

“We had considered the option of shifting the dates of the eight matches inPakistan, but because the Pakistan cricket team has to leave for the UAE on19 March for the ODI series against Australia, this was not possible. Wealso looked at swapping matches between Lahore and Karachi, but paucity oftime would have rendered this option unworkable,” he maintained.

“It is unfortunate that the headquarters of Pakistan cricket will be unableto host the PSL matches in 2019 due to no fault of the PCB, but this is asmall sacrifice for a bigger and larger national cause,” said PCB Chiefadding “We have spoken with the franchisees, who have backed this decisionand have reinforced that all their foreign players will feature in the lasteight matches of what has been an outstanding and highly competitivetournament that has been thoroughly enjoyed by the fans and the players.”

“The PCB appreciates and applauds the support of the franchisees as well asthe players, who understand that the evolving situation has forced us tomake these amendments to the event schedule,” he asserted.

According to the revised schedule, the Pakistan-leg matches will start on 9March with Lahore Qalandars meeting Islamabad United at 7pm PST. The onlydouble-header will be played on 11 Match when Lahore Qalandars and MultanSultans will go head to head at 2pm. This will be followed by Karachi Kingsand Peshawar Zalmi match which will start at 7pm.

The Qualifier between the number-one and two placed sides will be played on13 March, while Eliminator 1 between the third and fourth-placed sides willtake place on 14 March. Eliminator 2 between the loser of the Qualifier andwinner of Eliminator 1 will be played on 15 March.

The final will take place as per schedule on 17 March, with the first ballbeing bowled at 7pm PST. Revised event schedule: Saturday, 9 March –Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United (match starts 7pm PST)

Sunday, 10 March – Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators (match starts 7pm PST)Monday, 11 March – Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans (match starts 2pmPST); Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi (match starts 7pm PST) Wednesday, 13March – Qualifier (1 v 2) (match starts 7pm PST) Thursday, 14 March –Eliminator 1 (3 v 4) (match starts 7pm PST) Friday, 15 March – Eliminator 2(match starts 7pm PST) Sunday, 17 March – Final (match starts 7pm PST)

Ticketing – The PCB will refund tickets for all Lahore matches as per theface value of the tickets with more details to follow in due course.

With the slight amendment in the match schedule for Karachi matches,further details will be provided for existing match ticket-holders and forpurchasing of tickets for the additional games.