He hopes the 2021 PSL will see fans back into the stadiums.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani was elated to be able to fulfill his commitment to organizing the entire fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 in Pakistan.
On Tuesday, November 17, the PSL 05 concluded with the Karachi Kings won their first PSL title after defeating Lahore Qalandars in the finals by five wickets.
The PSL 2020 playoffs were played behind closed doors at the National Stadium in Karachi after the tournament was suspended on March 17 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The PSL 2020 saw nearly 600,000 spectators cross turnstiles in the 30 league matches excluding the last four games.
Well, the HBL PSL 05 had been an outstanding success for PCB and Pakistan cricket amid the very difficult circumstances and Mani congratulated all participants, officials, local administration, and security agencies on the successful campaign in the country.
Mani said in a PCB release, “I had promised following the Pakistan Super League 2019 that the 2020 edition will be held in Pakistan from start to finish. I reiterated this when the event was suspended prior to the playoff stage, and despite several challenges, uncertainties and doubts, I am delighted that the PCB has fulfilled another commitment and promise to the loyal and passionate Pakistan cricket fans and supporters.”
PCB chairman further added, “But at the same time, I am sad that Karachi Kings had to make history before an empty National Stadium. This great game is all about fans and their absence was badly missed by all of us, including the players and match officials. We can only visualize the celebrations and a festive occasion this final would have created, only if the situation was normal.”
Meanwhile, PCB will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the country and Mani expressed hope of seeing fans back into stadiums for the 2021 PSL.
The PCB boss further added, “With the COVID-19 situation being an evolving one, the PCB will continue to monitor it and work with the authorities to explore ways of allowing fans to attend matches when international cricket and Pakistan Super League matches are held in 2021.
The visiting players were once again appreciative of the way they were looked after and I am sure following these playoff matches, we have added more ambassadors of Pakistan cricket. Not many will know, understand and recognize the efforts and hard work of the PCB staff, who have worked incredibly hard to demonstrate to the world that Pakistan can organize and deliver high-quality cricket successfully despite the challenging and difficult COVID situation.”
Mani is also is looking forward to host South Africa in 2021 after Pakistan had hosted Zimbabwe for three ODIs and three T20Is before the PSL 2020 playoffs.
He signed off by saying, “The PCB has already delivered more than 55 percent of a full domestic season, while the home international series against Zimbabwe was smooth and flawless. I remain confident that the PCB will succeed in completing the 2020-21 domestic season. We look forward to hosting South Africa under the Future Tours Programme agreement in January/February 2021 and leading international cricketers will also return to feature in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2021, which will be played at the back of the home series against South Africa.”
(With ANI Inputs)