- Peshawar’s Hayatabad Stadium remains incomplete, preventing the city to host PSL 2024 matches despite construction initiated during the PTI regime.
- Arbab Niaz Stadium, another potential venue, is also incomplete, dashing hopes of PSL matches in Peshawar.
- PCB shifts PSL 2024 matches to Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan, as Peshawar loses its hosting bid; tournament kicks off on 17th Feb with Lahore Qalandars facing Islamabad United in the opener.
In a disappointing turn of events, Peshawar will once again miss out to host PSL, Pakistan Super League 2024 matches in the upcoming 2024 season as Hayatabad Stadium remains incomplete and unready to accommodate the cricketing extravaganza. The construction of the stadium, initiated during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regime, has faced significant delays, leaving the city unable to showcase its cricketing prowess for another season.
Despite promises made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) officials back in 2020, assuring that the next PSL season would take place in Peshawar, the reality seems far from the anticipated miracle. The stadium, where billions have been spent, is still awaiting crucial elements like floodlights, rendering it unfit for hosting high-profile cricket matches.
To add to the disappointment, nine months ago, the owner of Peshawar Zalmi had expressed optimism about Arbab Niaz Stadium potentially hosting PSL 9, sharing construction footage. However, this too remains incomplete, leaving fans and stakeholders in the lurch.
As the PSL 2024 draws closer, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to shift matches across four venues – Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan – excluding Peshawar from the roster. The tournament is set to kick off on 17th February, with a clash between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United in the opener.
Despite the setback, all PSL teams have finalized their squads in the recently held PSL 9 draft at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore on 12th December. Cricket enthusiasts will now turn their attention to the selected venues as the teams gear up for another thrilling season of T20 cricket in Pakistan.
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