Najam Sethi: “They confirmed that they will play three matches on April 1, 2 and 4 at the National Stadium of Karachi”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has confirmed that the three-match Twenty20 between Pakistan and the West Indies will be held in Karachi.

Sethi added that the three matches will be held on April 1, 2 and 4 at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The West Indies’ agreement to play the series in Karachi is another move in the right direction for international cricket returning to Pakistan.

Not only will this be the first Full Member series Pakistan have hosted since Zimbabwe visited the country in May 2015, but it is also the first time that an international match will be held in Karachi since Sri Lanka visited Pakistan in 2009.

“I was under much pressure by the marketing department and was being asked about not putting West Indies tour tickets on sale,” Sethi was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. “The reason was that I was in discussion and was working with the West Indies Cricket Board day and night to come to a conclusion.

“Just some hours before they confirmed that they will play three matches on April 1, 2 and 4 at the National Stadium of Karachi. PCB was in efforts to bring cricket back to Karachi. This is how we intend to bring Karachi back on the map of cricket.”

While the National Stadium is still being renovated, Sethi assured everyone that the construction work will be completed in time for the West Indies series and Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, which will take place on March 25.

“The PSL final and three West Indies matches will be held in Karachi. Many people were asking if the stadium will be renovated on time and I have been ensuring them that it will be done,” Sethi said. “Now with these four upcoming matches, Karachi has lot of cricket coming home, so they should welcome them in the best way.

“The trophy will be taken directly to Karachi from Dubai, where the final will be held [at a sold-out] stadium.”