'PSL will play a major role in convincing Australia to tour Pakistan' - High Commissioner

Pakistan is all set to host the entirety of the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League in March. This will be the first time that the franchise-based competition will take place entirely in Pakistan, and it is being seen as a key component in reviving cricket back into the country.

And, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Geoffery Shaw certainly feels that way. Shaw, who spoke to the media in Karachi on the sidelines of his visit to Pakistan Women Cricket team’s training camp to wish the girls good luck for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia, termed  Pakistan Super League as a ‘key component’ in efforts to convince the Australian Cricket team to Pakistan for the first time since 1998.

“It is about building confidence that players will come and feel safe. PSL is a key component, it has a valuable part to play. We have got a number of Australians playing in PSL so I’m looking forward to that,” he said as quoted by Geo.tv.

The likes of Shane Watson, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk, Fawad Ahmed, and Chris Lynn are set to feature in the PSL while former Aussie cricketer Dean Jones will be coaching the Karachi Kings.

“This is a decision for Cricket Australia, but we have already started the conversation. I have hosted a meeting between the PCB chairman and Cricket Australia CEO and we talked about that, about the next time when we could see the two [playing] here,” he added.

Shaw heaped praise on Pakistan’s effort to promote women’s cricket

Dr Geoffery Shaw praised Pakistan’s efforts to promote women’s cricket in the country and he hoped that Pakistan Cricket will write a new chapter in Women’s cricket in 2020.

“Pakistan has given the world some truly incredible cricket role models, like the wonderful girls we see here today. These women play a pioneering role in sport and they will continue to inspire the future generation,” he said.

He added, “I hope, in 2020, Pakistan Cricket will write the next chapter in women’s cricket history. I look forward to seeing the women team in the finals against Australia,” the High Commissioner added.

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