The Punjab government has finally announced to hold the final of Pakistan Super League-II (PSL-II) in Lahore on March 5 amid stringent security measures for the visitors and spectators. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif approved the holding of final PSL match in Lahore on 5th of March while chairing a high-level meeting of provincial cabinet committee on law and order on Monday.
Shehbaz said that this decision had been taken in the best interest of country and the nation. He directed all the concerned to provide foolproof security cover for the final. He also directed the provincial cabinet committee for law and order to check the security arrangements.
Shahbaz Sharif appealed the public to fully cooperate with the government for holding of this match. "Foolproof security should be assured for the PSL final in Lahore," said Shehbaz Sharif as quoted by the government of Punjab's twitter account. Before taking the decision, the Chief Minister held a series of meetings including two meetings of the Punjab Apex Committee.
Chairman Executive Committee Pakistan Cricket Board Najam Sethi, who is also Chairman of PSL, told media that online sale of tickets for PSL final would start from Tuesday while sale of tickets through designated outlets would start from Wednesday. The price of tickets would range from Rs 500 to Rs 12,000. Sethi said: "The Pakistani nation wants to show everyone that we are a peaceful nation which has shown resolve and courage for holding the PSL final in Lahore. This would not have been possible without the support of the Pakistani people and the media."
He said the holding of PSL final in Lahore is a big moment as it would pave the way for return of international cricket. He said that eight international security experts' teams from Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, England and two ICC experts will come to watch the PSL final.
When asked about participation of international cricketers, Sethi said that foreign players are coming. "I am departing for Dubai now. The situation would clear on March 3. We would sit with foreign players and finalise their names. If any of them did not want to come to Pakistan, replacement would be made with other players." The final match would be a day-night contest. "We will start the match at 1630 PST and the closing ceremony will conclude at 2300 PST," he added. Earlier, Sethi participated in a meeting chaired by PCB Chairman and other officials during which various issues pertaining to PSL final were discussed.
Chairman International Cricket Council (ICC) Task Force on Pakistan Giles Clarke has already voiced his support for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore. Clarke said holding the PSL final in Lahore would send a strong message to terrorists that "we will not bow down to them". Before the final match, Qadaffi Stadium is being renovated and cameras have been installed inside and outside the stadium.
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