The PSL season five comes to a close — with takeaways too many, for Pakistan. Kudos to the PCB for making that happen amid the coronavirus pandemic. The league had an abrupt halt on March 15 — when lockdowns were imposed in the country as part of measures aimed at containing the deadly virus — after the completion of preliminary stage that featured 30 matches among five teams. The PCB did do a commendable job by once again pulling together the foreign players and officials for the remaining games, including three playoffs and the final.
The matches were played without spectators due to the reigning pandemic, but cricket lovers were no short of excitement and enthusiasm all through the second stage of the league. Passions were running even higher over the final fight between archrivals Karachi (Kings) and Lahore (Qalandars) — even though it turned out to be a damp squib with Karachi comfortably reaching the 135-run target set by Lahore, with eight balls and five wickets to spare. In what can assess the level of involvement in the game, emotions poured in on social media as Karachi became the PSL champions for the first time in five years.
PSL is cricket at its professional best. The fifth edition of the star-studded league saw even better arrangements, keener players, closer contests, and bigger cash rewards — all serving to lift the standard of the sport and sportsmen in the country. There are even bigger takeaways of the PSL — those that are vital for the country and serve the national interest. The full hosting of the event in Pakistan, with the presence of foreign stars, successfully sent out the message all across the world that Pakistan is no more a no-go for foreigners — including those on the lookout for markets to make investment. The competition also promoted a soft image of Pakistan, and of Pakistanis being a sports-loving nation. Time to enjoy the success of PSL.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2020.
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