HBL PSL V 2020 resumes today: PCB appreciates viewers' response in Karachi and Lahore matches

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed gratitude to the Karachi and Lahore cricket fans for embracing the first-ever complete HBL Pakistan Super League edition five in Pakistan by almost filing the National and Gaddafi Stadium, respectively for each of the opening seven matches of the 34-match 32-day tournament.

After a two-day break, the event is resuming on Wednesday (today), when Multan Sultans host Peshawar Zalmi at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The following day, Pindi Cricket Stadium will play host to Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators match. Both the fixtures will commence at 7pm.

"The PCB is overwhelmed with the excellent spectator response and turnaround at the two venues for the first seven matches. When the hosting of the complete HBL PSL 2020 was announced 12 months ago, this is exactly what the PCB had envisaged and the PCB is grateful to all the spectators for supporting its vision and endeavour," a PCB spokesman said.

"Being a responsible entity, the PCB has also used its reach and platforms by observing the Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on 22nd February. In this relation, it hosted young Shezar Rehan, who also got a chance to meet his hero Shahid Afridi among others. Additionally, the PCB is aggressively and proactively promoting Government of Pakistan's Anti-Drug drive at all its matches as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility," a PCB spokesman said.

He said, "The involvement from the very onset of prominent, leading and respected foreign international stars, who were previously reluctant to visit Pakistan, is a further endorsement that Pakistan as a safe and secure country. The foreigners involved in the league as players, officials or support personnel have already given thumb-up to the arrangements made by the PCB."

As per statistics, in the seven matches to date, a total of 2,319 runs have been scored for the loss of 89 wickets, including 203 fours and 88 sixes. These statistics reflect the attacking brand of cricket that has been played in the tournament to date, which is a great advertisement for the HBL PSL 2020 and the country's conditions are conducive for an exciting brand of cricket which favour both batsmen and bowlers.

"The PCB is encouraged with the response of ticket sales in Rawalpindi and Multan, and expects the two stadia to be filled to their capacities in the 11 matches shared between these two new venues of HBL PSL. While there have been strong positives and, image and profile building initiatives, there have also been shortcomings and learnings. But these were not unexpected considering this is the biggest cricket spectacle in the history of Pakistan cricket and first major event since the 2008 Asia Cup. Staging and running events in the United Arab Emirates presents far lesser logistical, operational and practical issues," the spokesman added.

"The PCB will continue in its endeavours to add more venues in this league every year to make cricket accessible for fans around the country, which is in line with the PCB's policy to take the game to every nook and corner of the country," the spokesman added.