WITH the start of the 9th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), most people in Karachi have started finding out the dates on which the matches will be held in the city. Practically, Karachiites love to follow the action on their screens, but hosting a match in the city is a prospect that send shivers down one’s spine. The mess that is created on the roads in the name of security is terrible.

For those who are still wondering about the dates, Karachi will host its first match on Feb 28, but the fun will begin on March 7 and last almost nonstop till March 18. This is a public service information that is aimed at helping those who may want to plan their rather forced vacations because the daily commute will take a heavy toll on people’s nerves and, indeed, on their vehicles.

The PSL is considered not just a cricket league, but a mega event which represents the image of the country abroad. Mega events, in turn, are considered a source of development for the hosting cities, which should have meant positive outcomes for the city in terms of infrastructure and logistics. But that is not the case in Karachi.

PSL has always been a nightmare for the people of Karachi. The area around the National Stadium remains cordoned off. Making matters far worse is the fact that the University Road, running parallel to the stadium, has been dug up for the last more than two years. One wonders why it is so beyond the comprehension and ability of the event and city planners to coordinate their activities.

There is hardly any point hoping that the relevant authorities will do anything to ensure public life is not disturbed this year. All that one should hope for is that the people of Karachi will be resilient enough to outlast the hassle this year as well.

Najam Abbasi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2024