Back to the stadium: Pakistan Super League resumes after conflict-style suspension

Islamabad (AP) - Pakistan's Prime Minister Twenty20 cricket match resumed after a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. A handful of foreign players will return for the remaining eight games.

The Pakistan Premier League was suspended on May 9, but last weekend Pakistan and India agreed to a ceasefire after gradually eliminating its worst military confrontation in decades.

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The Indian Premier League has also been suspended due to the outbreak between the two countries and will resume this weekend.

The PSL organizers first proposed moving the game to Dubai, but later decided to postpone it after they were reluctant to participate due to safety concerns. About 43 foreign cricketers (who participated in six PSL teams) flew out of Rawalpindi Air Base.

Rawalpindi will host the remaining four league games between May 17 and 19, before Lahore will host the playoffs on May 21, including the final at Gaddafi Stadium on May 25.

Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikander Raza is one of some foreign players back to Pakistan. Raza plays for Lahore Qalandars, who starts flying to England next week to seek test taxes in his final league match against Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore on Sunday.

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If the two-time champion qualifies for the playoffs due to his Test commitment, Laza will not be able to provide Lahore.

He said he plans to return to Pakistan if the PSL resumes, even if it only plays one game.

"I know very well that I always have to go back," Laza told the Associated Press while training with his teammates at the Islamabad club table on Thursday.

"The PSL is not only going to win trophys, but there are a lot. All overseas (players) are back, whether they are in Pakistan or India, I think they have to be given credibility because cricket unites, sports around the world are all about making culture, nation, nation, nation."

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Lahore will also have to win the match between Sri Lankan batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan against Babar Azam-led Peshawar in Tom Curran and Daryl Mitchel against Babar Azam-led Peshawar.

Laza said that after the border upgrade, it will be difficult for all the families of players living abroad.

“Whether it’s Pakistan or India, it’s tough for everyone,” Raza said. “Sometimes, when you’re on the ground, it may not be bad, but (for) people come home to watch TV, sometimes it’s hard to control what the media tells you.”

Lahore’s director Same Rana said it’s important for PSL to re-complete the season.

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"Unfortunately there is a lot of uncertainty about what's going on locally, which is unfortunate," Lana said. "But from our perspective...it's important that the PSL is recovering, and that's what's important."

Defending champion Islamabad United introduced Alex Hales of England and Rassie van Dussen of South Africa after picking both in Australia's Ben Dwarshuis, while Ben Dwarshuis of Australia flew back to the team.

Three-time PSL champion Islamabad started the season with four consecutive games in five straight games.

New Zealand's Finn Allen and South Africa's Rilee Rossouw rejoined the first-place Quetta Gladiator, who scored 13 points and led by Karachi and Islamabad.

Karachi is expected to return its captain David Warner from Australia in time on Saturday.

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