ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi on Friday announced the board's plans to include Quetta as one of the venues for the upcoming Pakistan Super League's (PSL) eighth edition. 

The PSL is Pakistan's professional T20 cricket league, held every year in February and March. The league features six teams in total, each representing a Pakistani city. So far, seven editions of the tournament have been held in Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. 

So far, cricket has remained away from Quetta, the provincial capital of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. Separatist groups in Balochistan have frequently attacked security forces in the province, making it unsuitable for international cricket. 

However, PCB's new boss Sethi told reporters that the new cricket management committee had decided to speed up efforts to host PSL 8 matches in Quetta as well. 

"I am delighted that seven years after launching the HBL Pakistan Super League, I am today announcing our commitment to add Bugti Stadium in Quetta as the fifth venue for our marquee event," Sethi said. 

Sethi said the people of Balochistan had waited long to see cricket played in their backyard, adding that the PCB would do its best to ensure that happens. "In this relation, I have already spoken with influential officials in the Balochistan province, who have assured me of their complete support from event delivery perspectives," he added.

The PCB said it would work closely with the local administration in Balochistan for the upgradation and renovation of the Bugti Stadium, where the matches would be held. The board also said separate discussions will take place between PCB security experts and local authorities to ensure the safety and security of all the participants, officials and spectators.

On the new domestic cricket structure, Sethi said the final draft would be prepared by him, committee member Shakil Shaikh and Haroon Rashid. The final draft, he said, would be shared by the committee for further discussions. 

The PSL, arguably Pakistan's biggest sports event, is scheduled to be held from February 13 to March 19, 2023.