New Delhi:
The Pakistan Super League has never gotten the benefits of packed houses in the country as the majority of the tournament was played in the UAE. In the last couple of years, there have been more games played in Pakistan and it has drawn a good response from cricketing fans. However, the fifth season of the Pakistan Super League could be historic. According to sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board, the 2020 season of the Pakistan Super League could be played entirely in Pakistan. As per sources, the fifth season of the Pakistan Super League will be tentatively held from February 20 to March 22 next year with the final scheduled to be held in Lahore. Since the launch of the league, the games have been played in Dubai and Sharjah as foreign players were reluctant to travel to Pakistan because of security concerns. The last eight matches of the fourth season of the Pakistan Super League, including the playoffs and title clash were held in Lahore and Karachi.
The PCB's move to host the entire PSL in Pakistan has come after Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also the patron-in-chief of cricket, said he wanted to see all matches of PSL Season 5 to be played at home as security situation had improved a lot in the country. The PCB has already started working on renovating and upgrading venues which will host the PSL matches. 11 games are scheduled in Lahore, nine in Karachi, eight in Rawalpindi and four in Multan. If the entire PSL is held in Pakistan, the PCB's earnings from the league will increase dramatically as there would be more gate money and better sponsorship and corporate deals because of local interest.
The PCB, however, first needs to resolve some financial issues with its six franchises, who are now reluctant to give bank guarantees for the fifth edition and are also demanding a bigger share in the earnings from broadcast, title and other sponsorship revenues.
Quetta Gladiators are the current champions of the Pakistan Super League, having defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the final in Karachi by eight wickets. Islamabad United are the most successful side in the history of the Pakistan Super League, having won two titles in 2016 and 2018 while Peshawar Zalmi won the title in 2017 when they defeated Quetta Gladiators in the final. In fact, Quetta Gladiators have lost twice before breaking the jinx in 2019.
