ISLAMABAD: The northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar will host the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches for the first time this year, a provincial official said on Tuesday, with fans awaiting international stars to perform in the city for the last 20 years.

Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, has not hosted PSL matches since the league’s launch in 2016. The city, once a regular international cricket venue, was sidelined as Pakistan grappled with militant violence , prompting foreign players to avoid the region.

Although authorities repeatedly announced plans to revive international cricket in Peshawar, matches remained limited to Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. In June 2025, an exhibition match between KP Zalmi and KP Panthers, which saw participation from some Pakistani national team members, marked a cautious return of cricket to the city.

But this year, the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, formerly known as the Arbab Niaz Stadium, will be hosting PSL 11th edition matches, according to provincial officials. The stadium last hosted an international match on Feb. 6, 2006, when Pakistan defeated arch-rival India by seven runs under the Duckworth–Lewis method after poor light curtailed play.

“The biggest, good news for Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is that PSL matches will be held in Peshawar this time,” said Shafi Jan, a spokesperson of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, following a high-level security huddle in the region on Tuesday.

“For the first time in PSL history, Peshawar Zalmi’s home ground will be Peshawar, the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, and trophy roadshows will also be organized in various cities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

The 11th edition of PSL will kick off on March 26, which will feature eight franchises competing across multiple venues.

Tuesday’s security meeting in Peshawar was attended by top civilian and military officials, including KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Officials and cricket analysts blame security concerns and logistical shortcomings, which prevented the stadium from meeting international broadcasting and safety standards, for delaying Peshawar’s reintegration into Pakistan’s domestic and franchise cricket circuit.

Since mid-2000s, Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP, which borders Afghanistan, with militant groups such as the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), frequently targeting security forces, police, and government officials in the region.

Provincial government officials said the participants of Tuesday’s security huddle made several decisions to ensure law and order in the province.

In a statement, Javed Afridi, who owns PSL franchise Peshawar Zalmi, hailed the decision to hold PSL-11 matches in Peshawar as “a historic moment for cricket lovers” and reaffirmed his franchise’s “commitment to delivering strong performances on home soil.”

“With a powerful coaching setup now in place, Peshawar Zalmi have sent a clear message that they are entering PSL 11 with renewed energy, strategic clarity, and a firm determination to compete for the title,” the franchise said.