CM wants Sindh Premier League matches to be held in Hyderabad

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has proposed that the Sindh Premier League (SPL) Cup matches be held at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad.

An SPL delegation called on the CM on Saturday. It was led by its Chairman Malik Aslam, and included Vice Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Zahid Mahmood, Arif Malik and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab.

They said they planned to hold their 2024 cup matches in December, and were seeking a suitable stadium, so Shah suggested holding the matches at the Niaz Stadium. “We’ll provide it with all the missing facilities on a war footing, then upgrade it for next year’s matches and other matches as well.”

He wished that the SPL scout both rural and urban areas of the province for talent, stressing the need to provide opportunities for talented youth, both male and female, to play cricket at local, national and international levels because they have been neglected.

The SPL members said they intend to hold league matches in Qatar, so the CM suggested including players from Sindh. He established a committee comprising the sports department and the SPL to finalise not only the December matches but also next year’s cup.

Moreover, talent scouting is to be done in all the areas of the province. Shah also suggested forming an SPL women’s team and help them qualify for national matches.

He directed Wahab to develop a cricket stadium in Karachi where the SPL’s and the sports department’s teams can play and train. The sports department and SPL’s delegation will meet the CM next week after consulting with each other and firming up their proposal.