Cricket returns to Peshawar because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announces an exhibition match among Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the Arbab Niaz Stadium on April 8, 2025. This highly predicted clash marks a sizable step in the PCB’s efforts to revive top-tier cricket in the location and engage local fans.
The exhibition match is a part of the PCB’s strategy to build momentum ahead of the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL X).
This isn’t the first time the PCB has organized an exhibition right before the PSL. In 2023, a comparable event took place in Quetta, drawing massive attention and excitement from cricket lovers. The fulfillment of that fit has probably influenced the decision to deliver cricket back to Peshawar, further solidifying the PCB’s commitment to selling the sport across Pakistan.
Javed Afridi, the owner of Peshawar Zalmi, has been a vocal advocate for bringing PSL suits to Peshawar. He previously reached out to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, urging him to consider Arbab Niaz Stadium as a venue for PSL 10. Afridi’s efforts, mixed with the PCB’s initiative, have culminated in this exhibition being healthy, promising an interesting day of cricket for lovers.
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As the date approaches, anticipation is building amongst local supporters eager to witness their favorite gamers in action. The exhibition suit serves as a prelude to PSL X, which is ready to take the region from April 11 to May 18, 2025.
The 10th edition of the PSL will held matches across four venues: Rawalpindi, Karachi, Multan, and Lahore. The match will culminate with the final in Lahore on May 18.
The fans in Peshawar will have the chance to watch top-level players compete in their home city. The PCB will declare the specific date and participating players for the exhibition match in due course.
For the unversed, Arbab Niaz Stadium was the center of international cricket two decades ago; however, because of the political situation in the area, the venue has not hosted any international match since 2006.
The last international match at Arbab Niaz Stadium was an ODI between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.