Super League - a catalyst for promoting economic activity in Pakistan.

Byline: Ahsan Nisar

In was in June 2008, Pakistan last hosted Asia Cup a major cricket tournament and prior to this mega Pakistan Super League 2020 in progress, Pakistan had staged the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 1987 and 1996. In 1987, Pakistan had hosted 10 matches at seven venues, while 16 matches were played at six venues in 1996. This six-team HBL Pakistan Super League will be held across four venues with Karachi staging nine, Lahore 14, Rawalpindi eight and Multan three. The 34-match 32-day HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 edition five will be the biggest cricket extravaganza to take place in Pakistan and first since the six-team Asia Cup 2008.

The first edition of PSL that included five teams was played entirely in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); the second edition saw the first step towards its homecoming with the final between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The 2018 edition was the first instance that two Pakistani cities hosted the HBL PSL matches. Lahore was host to two play-offs while Karachi staged the final in which Islamabad United prevailed against defending champions Peshawar Zalmi.

It was also in this very season that Multan Sultans was added as the sixth franchise. The 2019 season had an unprecedented eight games in Pakistan. Karachi's National Stadium was the host to many matches, including the three play-offs and the final between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi, which Quetta won convincingly to lift the prestigious HBL PSL trophy for the first time.

Golden opportunity

The HBL PSL V 2020 may prove to be a golden opportunity for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to build upon. Hosting the entire season on home grounds has increased chances of more international...