It’s official: Lahore to host PSL finale

AFTER PROLONGED deliberations and discussions, the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore has received the go-ahead from the Punjab government for hosting the Pakistan Super League final, slated to be held on March 5. The decision was confirmed PSL chairman Najam Sethi.

“I think deciding to have the PSL final is a message from the Pakistani people to the world that they will not be cowed down by terrorism and they are peace loving people. The final is being held here because the people wanted it in Lahore,” said Sethi.

However, not all are quite chaffed about the city hosting the event. One of the staunchest critics was cricketer-turnedpolitician Imran Khan, who called it “sheer madness”. “What message of peace will we send out in such conditions,” he asked.

Though Punjab’s Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah, has assured that around 10,000 security personnel will be deployed for the final and the security plan would be put into place from Tuesday, Imran expressed security concerns.

“I think the risks involved in having the final at this time are high and the environment is just not right to take such a big risk. If something, God forbid, happens, then it will put Pakistan cricket back by 10 years,” he said, emphasizing that Pakistan shouldn’t host any international match until peace is fully restored.

He also felt it won’t change perceptions about Pakistan in the cricket circle. “Even if the final is held successfully I don’t think it is going to change things by way of teams agreeing to come to Pakistan again,” the former World Cup-winning captain said.

His contemporary and accomplice in several memorable wins for Pakistan, Javed Miandad also concurred with Imran.

“I want to just ask who will take responsibility if something goes wrong on that day. I don’t understand why take this chance when we all know that international teams will not return to Pakistan this way,” he asked.

Another former cricketer, Aamir Sohail, too, lashed out at this decision. “It’s not a World Cup final,” he said. “Holding the final now is going to be a big challenge for the PCB and government. The way I see it all this is happening because of a stubborn child,” he said, taking a veiled dig at Sethi.

Former Test opener Shoaib Muhammad too said he was not in favour of having the final at this time because despite taking such a big risk it would serve no purpose in the end. “Can the PCB guarantee us that if we have a smooth PSL final we will be seeing Australia, South Africa or England coming to Pakistan to play in the next few months?” he asked.