PSL final to be held in Lahore even if overseas players pull out: PCB

The second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will see the finals being held on the home soil in Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently confirmed the same. The board mentioned that they are keen on devising contingency plans in case the overseas players pull out from touring Pakistan. As per the reports in ESPNcricinfo, the PCB has confirmed the finals to be scheduled in Lahore on March 7.

The board will create a draft of another set of backup players who will be roped in if any of the players back out at the last moment citing any reason. The decision has been arrived at as a result of the uncertainty that most players have expressed about touring Pakistan. They have security concerns on their mind. Barring the finals, the entire tournament will take place in Dubai and Sharjah. PSL 2 kicks off on February 9.

“In the recent governing board meeting it was decided that the final of PSL will be held in Lahore. PCB will try to convince players to travel to Pakistan but in the worst case scenario we will have a new draft for the players who are ready to tour Pakistan,” a PCB spokesperson quoted.

They even declared that in case no foreign players turn up for the finals, the tournament final will go forward with local players only. In a bid to strengthen their claim, bulletproof buses and other security measures have been beefed up in the country for the players. The board is also in talks with the West Indies national side for touring Pakistan.

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The PCB wants West Indies to tour Pakistan for two T20Is in March. Following that, the Pakistan team will play two T20Is at Florida in return. The confirmation on the international tour is also yet to be given. As of now, the news about the PSL final seems like a concrete call. It will be interesting to see the list of players who agree to take part in the finals if they are scheduled in Lahore.