Sports

Majority of overseas players agree to play PSL in Pakistan

As Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 3 is about to wrap up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), majority of the over
Published March 17, 2018

As Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 3 is about to wrap up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), majority of the overseas players have agreed to travel to Pakistan for the playoffs.

On Friday, Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi filled the last two spots for the playoffs to be played in Lahore, as the teams now gear up to play the next phase of the league in Pakistan.

With a lot of speculations around whether the foreign players will come to Pakistan or not for the matches, the good news is that majority of them have agreed.

As far as defending champions Zalmi are concerned, like last year, their entire squad have agreed to travel to Pakistan. Similarly, Karachi Kings’ squad have also agreed to travel to Lahore and Karachi, except for England captain Eoin Morgan.

PSL suffers major blow as five foreign cricketers refuse to visit Pakistan

Meanwhile, former champions Islamabad United are facing similar situation with their English players Sam Billings and Steven Finn. However, they are hopeful for a positive response from their Englishmen.

Three Islamabad United players - Samit Patel, JP Duminy and Luke Ronchi - have already announced in separate interviews that they will travel to Pakistan.

Just like last year, Quetta Gladiators are again running the risk of a depleted squad, as most of their overseas players are unwilling to visit Pakistan. England opener Jason Roy, star batsman Kevin Pietersen, Australian veteran Shane Watson and all-rounder Ben Laughlin have expressed unwillingness to visit Pakistan for the knockout games.

However, the franchise is hopeful that Mahmudullah of Bangladesh will be available for the playoffs in Pakistan, once he is free from national duty on March 18. Quetta are also in contact with Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera and other players for the last leg of the tournament.

South African star Rilee Rossouw and Chris Green of Australia may also travel to Pakistan.

With only three days remaining in the eliminators in Lahore, let’s see who will make to the final in Karachi on March 25.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018

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