ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board moved three PSL matches from Lahore to Karachi on Sunday after political and military tension between India and Pakistan.
PCB chairman Ehsan Mani says the decision was made "following the delayed opening of the Lahore airspace for commercial flights which has created substantial operational and logistical challenges."
Last Tuesday, an Indian aircraft crossed into Pakistan and carried out what India called a pre-emptive strike against militants blamed for a Feb. 14 suicide bombing in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 40 Indian troops. Pakistan retaliated, shooting down a fighter jet Wednesday and detaining its pilot, who was returned to India on Friday.
"Due to the recent and prevailing uncertainty, we felt it critical to make a decisive decision at this juncture," Mani said in a statement. "Ensuring all the matches are played in Pakistan falls in line with our vision to take all eight matches of the PSL to the people of Pakistan."
Lahore was due to host three matches from March 9-12 but these will now take place in Karachi, along with five other PSL games.
Tournament matches are also held in the United Arab Emirates. The Pakistan leg of the PSL will now start two days earlier on March 9 with the final still scheduled for Karachi on March 17.
"This has been a difficult and tough decision, which has been taken following discussion and consultation with all the franchises and service providers," Mani said.
PSL is an annual Pakistan domestic league competed between six franchises named after major cities — Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Islamabad, Peshawar, Islamabad and Multan.
PSL cricket games moved from Lahore to Karachi
PSL cricket games moved from Lahore to Karachi
- Lahore was due to host three matches from March 9-12
- The decision has been taken following discussion and consultation with all the franchises
Al-Hilal win tightens Saudi Pro League title race
- The 3-2 victory over Al-Khaleej leaves Al-Hilal a single point behind Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr, who play on Saturday
DUBAI: The gap at the top of the Saudi Pro League table was cut to just one point on Friday night, following Al-Hilal’s 3-2 win over Al-Khaleej.
Simone Inzaghi’s team leapfrogged Al-Taawoun into second place to remain the closest challengers to Al-Nassr in the title fight, with the leaders set to host Al-Okhdood on Saturday.
Al-Hilal opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Mohammed Kanno met Hamad Al-Yami’s lay-off on the edge of the penalty area, his long-range shot beating Al-Khaleej goalkeeper Anthony Moris at his left-hand post.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic doubled the lead on 39 from Malcom’s assist to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb in the second half. Al-Hilal looked to have secured all three points comfortably when Malcom made it 3-0 on 57 minutes, but Al-Khaleej had other ideas.
Joshua King’s goal on 79 minutes looked to be nothing more than a consolation, but five minutes later Al-Hilal were left sweating after Giorgos Masouras cut their lead to a single goal. The visitors’ revival was short-lived, however, with no more additions to the score.
The defeat leaves Al-Khaleej in eighth place, with three matches still to be played on Saturday.
Earlier on Friday, Al-Taawoun briefly climbed to second place in the table after an away win against Al-Kholood at Al-Hazem Stadium. Their goals came from Christopher Zambrano after 22 minutes and a William Troost-Ekong’s own goal in the 75th; Al-Taawoun ended the match with 10 men after Muteb Al-Mufarrij was sent off in stoppage time, but the three points were already secured.
Al-Hilal’s win later in the day meant Al-Taawoun dropped to third, while Al-Kholood sit in 12th.
The first match of the day saw Al-Fateh shock reigning Asian champions Al-Ahli with a 2-1 win, after falling behind at home to Valentin Atangana’s 22nd-minute goal. However, the home team turned the match around with two goals from Maria Vargas either side of half time.
The win saw Al-Fateh rise to 14th while Al-Ahli stayed in fourth.
