Pakistan Super League 2024

Pakistan Super League exhibition match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Galdiators halted due to bomb blast- Reports

A Pakistan Super League (PSL) exhibition match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators was held in Quetta on February 5, Sunday, with the tournament set to get underway in a week’s time. That being said, the teams are giving it their all ahead of the much-anticipated tournament and it remains to be seen if the Pakistani captain Babar Azam’s move to the Zalmi camp would pay off this time around. 

While the match was underway, reports emerged from the city and various local news portals claiming that the match was halted due to a bomb blast at Musa Chowk. There were claims as well that the crowd was not being handled properly at the Bugti stadium and this was another reason which led to the match being delayed. 

It was noted that some unscrupulous people were responsible for starting the fire and causing a ruckus, eventually interrupting the match at Quetta. The exhibition match was stopped for a short while before the match resumed and the stadium’s atmosphere returned to normalcy right away. The PSL, for the unversed, is a six-team tournament which is being conducted since 2015 and run by the Pakistan Cricket Board. 

Exclusive scenes from Bugti Stadium Quetta, PSL exhibition match was stopped because few people from crowd have pelted stones in the ground. Also an bomb has blasted in Quetta but that was far away from venue. Some people also burned fire outside the ground. #PSL2023 #PSL8 #PZvQG pic.twitter.com/FjE7Hx61p3

— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) February 5, 2023

PSL is Pakistan’s brand and should be played in all cities in Pakistan – Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi who was the interim chief selector for the series against New Zealand, claimed recently that the PSL should be expanded into Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “Today is a big day for Quetta. I am happy to be back here for cricket. It’s heartening to see smile on the faces of people here,” Afridi was quoted as saying, as he explained about his idea to extend the league further.

“Credit goes to PCB, Balochistan government and our security forces. PSL is Pakistan’s brand and it should be taken to all cities. After Quetta, PSL’s umbrella should be expanded to Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir,” the former all-rounder said.

Talking about Quetta he said, “There is lot of talent in Quetta. I have worked a lot here with my foundation. People here need support and opportunities,” highlighted Afridi.  “Not only in cricket, but Quetta has a lot of talent in boxing and football too. These youngsters also need opportunities. I will try my best to highlight this city and its people.”

In the seven seasons of the PSL, Islamabad United have won the tournament twice and currently, the champions of the tournament are Lahore Qalandars who were led by the fiery pacer Shaheen Afridi. Each Team plays in the group stage twice in a double round-robin format, with the top four teams with the most points making it to the play-off stage and the final two teams facing off in the summit clash.