Karachi: Dearth of international action has disappointed the people of the biggest city of the country but the news of holding of the Pakistan Super League’s final next year has rejuvenated cricket fandom in Karachi, feels former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu.

“Cricket fans in Karachi would have never been happier after knowing that PSL’s third edition final will be held in Karachi. I have met a lot of people here, who are very happy with this development and are praising PCB Chairman Najam Sethi,” Sallu told PPI.

“The Karachiites are hungry to watch their heroes play at National Stadium. I expect large number of fans descending in Karachi from other parts of Sindh as well,” he added.

He further said that NLC, the construction company, in consultation with NesPak, would complete the renovation work at National Stadium in Karachi well within time for PSL matches. Apart from the final, Karachi would also be hosting three more matches during Pakistan’s biggest sports extravaganza.

“The work at National Stadium is in progress on war footings. The roofs of the stands and enclosures have been installed. The work on the dressing rooms and washrooms are underway,” he said.

He added that PSL has already provided many cricketers to the national side but hosting matches in the country would have more positive impact on the pool of players.

“Our team is in building process. We are yet to find a perfect opening combination, which we had never been able to find since Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar. Moreover, middle-order is weak after Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan’s retirement and it is yet to get bolstered,” he added. “PSL would certainly help us in finding those replacements.”

However, he praised Pakistan’s pace attack and said that it is force to reckon at the moment.—PPI