It is welcome to note that despite the Friday’s terrorist incident in Karachi’s Saddar police station,  the ongoing PSL matches are proceeding as planned as participating have expressed their confidence in the security steps intact for the PSL encounters.

Since the cricketers of the franchise sides who are currently staying in the city are being provided the presidential level of security which was in place for the Aussie tour in December 2021 and also for England and other visiting teams later on.

The eighth edition of this mega league is in full swing across as many as four different venues this season with many a team conducting practice sessions at Karachi’s National Stadium which is abuzz with activities due to presence of large number of cricket fans who throng the venue to witness their favorite national and international actors in action at their home grounds.

Cricket is a passion in Pakistan and right now the Pakistan cricket fans are eagerly following the PSL schedules and they are super excited for the current and coming encounters of the PSL.

All the stakeholders including the PCB, the local and foreign security experts are in touch on the situation with the security apparatus on full vigil and have given assurance regarding foolproof security for the PSL matches.

The confidence shown by international cricketers who are currently in Pakistan for the PSL encounters, in the security apparatus of the country, who are guiding and providing president level security to them, is a good omen and a good augury for cricket in this country, which suffered a lot due to the abandoning of international tours in Pakistan in recent years.

It may be recalled here that when the Australian cricket team was touring Pakistan in December 2021 after over two decades, a powerful suicide blast occurred in Peshawar mosque killing over 60 persons, but the kangaroos continued with their tour matches and the event was staged in a successful manner.

It was month long tour by the Australian team during which they played a Test series, and a good number of ODIs and T20 matches as well, but not a single incident of security arose on the cricket front during the Aussie tour of Pakistan.

The Aussie team captain and their players were quite satisfied with the security cover provided to them on their tour of Pakistan.

As a matter of fact, it is after so many years that international teams have started arriving in Pakistan since December 2021 with Australia first to land in Pakistan.

Our country has already suffered a lot as the world teams had  refused to visit Pakistan since a militants attack  on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team players in Lahore in 2009, in which eight persons including six cops and two civilians were killed.

But Thank God, things have changed a lot and now our home ground are abuzz with cricket activities once again. Yes, our country has not only successfully hosted the Pak-Australia cricket series and then successfully hosted the England and New Zealand cricket teams last year but has also landed hosting rights for two mega events i.e., 2023 Asia Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy.

In fact, the international cricketers, who in Pakistan for the PSL season eight, should exhibit large-heartedness as it is necessary for the promotion of cricket in a country which is known for its sports commitments.

It may be mentioned here that during the time of attack on former PM Imran Khan, the world level Asian Taekwondo Championship was being held in Islamabad with athletes from as many as 16 players from Nov 1 to 4 last year. They did not budge an inch from their commitment and continued with their schedule and the championship which was won by Iran concluded on successful note in Islamabad, which was the centre of political disturbance crisis after the attack on IK as his supporters went berserk and were holding rallies after rallies.

On the other hand, in December last when the Australian cricket team was touring Pakistan after over two decades, a powerful suicide blast occurred in Peshawar mosque killing over 60 persons, but the kangaroos continued with their tour matches and the event was staged in a successful manner.

It was months-long tour by the Australian team during they played a Test series, and a good number of ODIs and T20 matches as well, but not a single incident of security arose during the Aussie tour of Pakistan.

Cricket is a passion in Pakistan and right now the Pakistan cricket fans and they should not be deprived of this enjoyment.

It may be mentioned here that Pakistan  organized a successful seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2021, which is a testimony  that there is no threat to cricket in the country and that our country is safe for touring teams  and players.

To sum up, the PSL season eight is going to be held as planned with no threat to cricket despite the incidents of lawlessness in the country.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 20 2023

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