Will Peshawar host a PSL 9 match?

Peshawar has yet to witness a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match, despite persistent appeals from Peshawar Zalmi enthusiasts and team owner Javed Afridi.

The Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar has undergone extensive construction and refurbishment over the past two years, with the hope that it will soon join the list of PSL host cities.

While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has designated Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan as host cities for the upcoming ninth edition of the PSL, there is potential for Peshawar to showcase an exhibition match between Peshawar Zalmi and another franchise before the official PSL commencement.

It's worth noting that an exhibition match ahead of PSL 8 took place at Bugti Stadium in Quetta, featuring a face-off between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi.

Expressing interest in hosting a PSL 9 match, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has communicated with the PCB. Sources reveal that a recent PCB delegation visited Peshawar for discussions with government officials, including representatives from the Sports Department.

As part of the arrangement, the Hayatabad Cricket Stadium has been proposed as the venue for the PSL exhibition match, with the PCB requiring satisfaction regarding the condition of pitches and facilities before granting approval.

To expedite the negotiation process, a committee has been established, tasked with formulating rules and regulations by the upcoming Sunday. 

The PCB has solicited reports from members of the Infrastructure Structure and Domestic Department as discussions continue. Secretary Sports & Youth Affairs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Matiullah Khan, expresses optimism about Peshawar hosting a PSL match, indicating that ongoing talks with the PCB delegation are progressing positively. The negotiations and discussions are still underway, and further updates are expected in the coming weeks.

In contrast to Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, and Multan, which have been regular hosts for PSL matches in the last three seasons, Peshawar and Quetta are yet to witness matches for their respective franchises.