Decision on PSL final still in limbo

The decision to hold Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore is in limbo due to the recent spate of terror attacks in the country including Lahore where the matches would be played. A senior official at the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Co-ordination (IPC) on condition of anonymity told Business Recorder that 'as of now, we are unaware of any arrangements for PSL final Lahore as that depends on the security situation'.
"PCB is making all out efforts to hold PSL final in Lahore, but the final decision will be taken by the prime minister. There is a possibility that the final will be played here if foolproof security can be ensured for the players," he added. He acknowledged that some officials feel that even though the public would like to have Lahore as the venue for the finals yet not too many people would feel safe enough to actually come to the stadium to watch the match due to heightened security concerns subsequent to the Charing Cross suicide bomb.
Following the attack on Lahore's Mall Road, Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa pledged full support to the authorities for holding the match in Lahore. The government also decided to throw its weight behind the PSL authorities in a top-level security huddle convened by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week.
However an anecdotal survey conducted by Business Recorder, revealed that the general public is keen for the revival of cricket in the country, but at the same time they called upon the government to ensure security to the crowd of PSL. PSL Chairman Najam Sethi talking to reporters in Lahore said, "We are hopeful that the final will take place no matter whether the foreign players agree to play for us or not. People are taking interest and the VIPs who have started calling us for free tickets".
It was also reported that the franchise owners showed some reservations on staging the final at the Gaddafi Stadium; however, after a meeting with Sethi, all the franchise owners have reportedly agreed to play the PSL final in Lahore. Mohsin Hasan Khan, a top former Pakistani cricketer, who played in 48 Tests and 75 ODIs from 1977 to 1986 mainly as an opening batsman, said that holding the PSL final in the country will be of no use.
"The PCB management promised last year to hold PSL in Pakistan instead of Dubai, but in the end did not opt for Pakistan and by staging the 'drama' of playing the final in Lahore again this year they are fooling the masses", he stated. Mohsin Khan further said that "PCB is spending billions of dollars on international players despite the fact that most of them are retired but it [PCB] is not ready to spend a single penny on improving domestic cricket, which is the only way to gain Pakistani cricket's lost glory".
He called upon the PCB management not to 'play with Pakistan rather play for Pakistan', adding the 'game of cricket in Pakistan can only improve if we pay attention to young players instead of holding PSL matches outside Pakistan'. Punjab govt still undecided about venue of PSL final Meanwhile, sources said the PCB management has also submitted a report to the Chief Minister indicating arrangements by the board for holding the final of PSL-II in Lahore. "The PCB has also finalised pitch for the final besides renovation of stadium. Cameras have also been installed," the sources said.
The Chief Minister also held a series of meeting on law and order and sought reports from agencies as well as PCB. PSL Chairman Najam Sethi also met Shehbaz Sharif but he did not receive an immediate positive response from the provincial government, the sources said. Sethi later tweeted, saying: "I just met CM Punjab. We are on track for PSL final in Lahore. But we shall continue to monitor and review situation in the run-up."
The sources said uncertainty prevails about foreign players who would participate in the PSL final if it is played in Lahore on March 5 their names have not been finalised so far. Furthermore, there is no formal request for issuance of visas to such players or to the broadcasters of the event who are stated to be the Indian nationals.
Former PCB chairman Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf said the holding of PSL final in Lahore without participation of foreign players would be of no significance. "There would be glamour with the participation of foreign players in the final, otherwise, it would be like a domestic event". On February 20, the PSL after consulting all the five franchises announced that the final of the PSL will be held in Lahore on March 5. But it seems the announcement was pre-mature as the major stakeholder, the government of Punjab, was not on board.